The coordinated police raids involved multiple locations across New Zealand, including rural areas where the activists had gathered for training. The operation was prompted by an investigation into the activities of groups allegedly engaged in planning armed actions related to grievances over indigenous rights and environmental issues. Among the materials confiscated during the raids were weapons, bomb-making manuals, and equipment for militant training. The government emphasized the need for national security in the wake of global terrorism concerns, leading to increased scrutiny of protest groups labelled as potentially violent. The arrests were met with a mixture of relief and apprehension among the public, with many questioning the adequacy of national security measures versus the preservation of civil liberties. The activist community expressed outrage, fearing that peaceful protests might be stifled under the guise of anti-terrorism efforts.