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described it as a “who’s who” of Hollywood senior producers. Among the group was the MPAA’s Chris Dodd — the man blamed by Dotcom for pulling strings to make the raid happen.

Key’s briefing papers make it clear “the MPAA takes an active interest in New Zealand’s IP regime, particularly in the area of online copyright enforcement”. It describes the MPAA as “highly influential in Washington political circles” and playing “a key role in shaping US trade policy to suit its particular interests . . . Strong copyright protection is seen by the MPAA’s members as fundamental to the ongoing viability of the film industry.”

Dodd raised the Dotcom Megaupload issue, “in passing”, Key admitted later. He told the *Herald*: “He just essentially noted that the case was ongoing in New Zealand, and I just confirmed that and said yes. He didn’t dwell on that.”

Justice Minister Judith Collins, whose signature is required to finalise any extradition, was far more careful. The week after Key returned, with headlines and news bulletins filled with his meetings with Hollywood executives, she was arranging her own travel to the US. The way she did so is telling of the position Dotcom had come to occupy in the government’s mind.

An email sent ahead of her stated: “The Minister’s office has asked me to convey the following very important message concerning the situation with Mr Kim Dotcom and others.” The instruction which followed asked it be distributed to the NZ Ambassador to the US, Mike Moore, embassy and diplomatic staff, along with Department of Justice and FBI staff.

“It would be inappropriate for any questions or discussions to be raised in regard to Kim Dotcom with the Minister on any of her calls. The Minister is unable to discuss or comment on any aspects of this.”

The government had gone from somehow failing to hear anything about Dotcom to not wanting to hear anything about him.

The extradition was meant to be quick and simple. Yet Dotcom was still in New Zealand and showing no sign of going anywhere.

“With the picture we already have,” says Dotcom, “I am pretty confident we don’t need to worry about getting extradited.”

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