Former Labour MP Taito Phillip Field has gone on trial in the High Court today on 12 charges of corruption and bribery as an MP and 23 charges of perverting the course of justice. It's the first such trial in New Zealand's history, and so cause for shame and pride in equal measure. Shame, because its a sign that our political system isn't as squeeky clean as we thought, and pride because unlike certain other countries, at least we're prosecuting him. As we should - there is no place for corruption in our political system.