KIM DOTCOM: "A political case needs to be fought politically. Not just in the courts."

Kim Dotcom's extradition hearing is likely to be delayed by eight months - and the internetmogul believes it is because of this year's election.

The Auckland District court hearing was due to take place in April after being moved from November 2013. He was arrested in January 2012 after a joint police-FBI raid on his home. The US wants him to stand trial for charges relating to internet piracy, which he denies.

The legal battle was bogged down by a series of challenges. Last week Dotcom suffered a blow when the Appeal Court ruled the search warrants for the raid were valid.

However, it also said clones of computer data were unlawfully removed to the US by the FBI.

Both Dotcom and Crown lawyers are considering challenging aspects of the decision.

The Mega boss says an alternative date for extradition hearing is now likely to be pencilled in for November, which he believes will save Prime Minister John Key embarrassment during an election campaign.



Pundits are expecting the country will go to the polls in late September or early October.

Dotcom wants the cloned hard drives returned to New Zealand. He says without them his legal team can't prepare for the hearing.