By Marty Sharpe - The Dominion Post

An immigration trial that was expected to last six weeks in New Zealand has ended on its third day after the four accused changed their pleas to guilty.

The men were accused of hiring hundreds of illegal immigrants to work in vineyards and orchards.

Michael Porter, 53, Miles Elliott, 45, Surjit "Uncle" Singh, 62, and his son Dharminder "Bubbly" Singh, 42, pleaded guilty yesterday (May 18) in Hastings District Court to a charge of conspiring to aid and abet foreign nationals to remain in the country illegally between 2004 and 2006.

Although they pleaded guilty, the men are disputing some allegations and a disputed facts hearing may be held next week. They were all granted continued bail provided they relinquished their passports.

Their company, Contract Labour Services, employed more than 500 workers in vineyards and orchards throughout the country.

Read the full story at stuff.co.nz