Former Labour MP Taito Phillip Field has pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery and corruption on the first day of his trial at the High Court in Auckland.
The 12 charges of bribery and corruption accuse him of giving immigration assistance to Thai people in return for work on his properties.
Mr Field also faces 23 charges of wilfully attempting to obstruct or pervert the course of justice during an inquiry by a Queen's Counsel in 2005.
The first group of charges accuses Mr Field of giving immigration assistance in return for work on his properties, and the latter relate to the Noel Ingram inquiry.
He answered not guilty to all 35 charges, which were read out over a period of more than 10 minutes.
A jury of seven women and five men has been selected.
After making its opening address on Tuesday, the Crown will present evidence from the current Labour Manukau East MP, Ross Robertson, and the former Police Commissioner, Rob Robinson.
The trial is expected to take three months.
Mr Field, a former Labour MP, left Parliament last year after losing the Mangere seat he held as an independent following his sacking by Labour.
