Threat on PM's safety linked to raids 

It is understood there was a recent specific threat to Prime Minister Helen Clark's safety linked to the training camp activities pounced on by police on Monday.

More than 300 police swooped on properties around New Zealand and they used the new Terrorism Suppression Act for the first time.

Fourteen people have been arrested.

It has been suggested that those involved in the military training support so called self-determination - the right of Maori to full independence.

However, the Maori Party is concerned the police reaction is over the top.

"The operation was carried out in front of children, in front families, Armed Offenders' Squad, guns...so we're concerned about the impact that it's had on that community," Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell.

The Act says police cannot arrest people simply engaging in protests or industrial action - there has to be a risk to people's health and safety, to major infrastructure or the economy.

"I don't believe that protest activity involves the use of firearms or other weapons. I believe that the action we've taken is entirely in accordance with the law," says Police Commissioner Howard Broad.

Broad says the group involved is not listed in the law as a terrorist entity and believes it is "domestically oriented", that is, without international connection. But he says the group's behaviour was deadly serious although no action was thought to be imminent.

"It's difficult to say with certainty. I deemed it prudent to act now to minimise the risk," he says.

The prime minister was informed about the plan for police action last week, and other political parties are being briefed. Both police and Clark are refusing to rule out whether an attack on a politician was in the pipeline but it is possible other politicians may have been at risk too.

"I've been briefed on the overall issue around the operation but I'm not going to comment on individual people who may or may not have been a target of it," says Clark.

The Terrorism Suppression Act is designed to give police greater power to track and trace terrorists and to take action against them.  However, before charges can be laid, police must seek permission from the Solicitor-General that they have the evidence to lay charges.

Police say they may take time to sift through the evidence, but if those arrested are charged under the Act, they may face more severe sentencing than under other legislation.