A father who has been sentenced to join his children on home detention for their role in a near million dollar cannabis operation acted in a "misguided sense of loyalty to his family".

That was what defence lawyer Brian Foote says about Stephen Shaw, who was sentenced at Rotorua District Court on Friday to eight months' home detention after pleading guilty to charges of possession of cannabis for supply and cultivating cannabis.

His children, Emma and Malcolm Shaw, were sentenced in January this year to nine months and eight months respectively.

Emma Shaw enters guilty pleas to charges of possession of cannabis for sale and cultivation of cannabis, while Malcolm entered guilty pleas to charges of cultivating cannabis and party to possession of cannabis.

The police summary of facts revealed that a search on March 30 last year, at a Huirimu Road property in Wharerapa South, uncovered "manicured" cannabis in a woolshed that had been transported there from a second location at Wiltsdown Road, Waotu.

A further search of the Wiltsdown Road address uncovered 177 mature plants.

"The potential yield of the cannabis plants found is between $531,000 and $885,000," the summary says.

Brian says his client had taken part in the offending out of a "misguided sense of loyalty to his family".

"There was nothing in it for him," he says.

He also said his client had received "an incredible wake up call" from the offending.

Sentencing Shaw to eight months home detention, Judge Philip Cooper also says he should attend a drug and alcohol programme.

"Not to address any issues, but to bring home an awareness of the harm drugs to to the community."

The summary of facts also revealed that Stephen Shaw had denied any involvement with the cannabis found at the Wiltsdown address, but admitted helping his daughter Emma by "manicuring" the cannabis.

He also admitted to sourcing 'clones' and helping his son Malcolm plant "about 30" plants at the Huirimu address - planting he said was his idea.

"He claimed that he did it to help out friends who smoked cannabis," the summary says.

"He also admitted providing other cannabis to people, but claimed no money changed hands and he simply 'dropped off' amounts for others."

The summary also spelt out the link between the Shaw's and the alleged offending of another person linked to land where police allege they found four separate cannabis growing areas containing 93 plants.

That person has pleaded not guilty to charges linked to the Shaws and their case is still ongoing.

-Stuff.co.nz/Benn_Bathgate