With New Zealand authorities trying to overturn a ruling that a raid of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom's mansion was illegal, new footage has surfaced showing police storming the home with helicopters, semiautomatic weapons, and attack dogs, despite the fact that police admitted Dotcom posed a "low risk."

Video shot from a helicopter carrying Special Tactics Group officers (and posted online as part of a 3News report out of New Zealand) shows police storming Dotcom's resort-like home on the morning of January 20. Within seconds of landing, four armed officers ran to the main door, and were followed by vans and later a second helicopter. Dotcom, his pregnant wife, their three children, guests, and a dozen staff were accounted for and contained by authorities serving a warrant to Dotcom, who faces conspiracy, money laundering, and copyright charges in the US.

Oddly, officers weren't wearing full combat gear. In court footage, a police officer explained: "We wanted to match the threat level, in this case a low threat, with our dress. We made that conscious decision not to wear full tactical gear. It wasn't appropriate in these circumstances."

Helicopters were needed, authorities say, because Dotcom's security might have stopped cars at the gate, and a quick raid was necessary to prevent destruction of evidence. However, Dotcom pointed out that the FBI had already taken over the machines in the data center where Megaupload's systems were hosted, preventing him from destroying evidence even if he wanted to.

In testimony this week, Dotcom also said authorities got rough with him even though he tried to surrender peacefully.

"Once they came up the stairs I had my hands like this," Dotcom said, with his hands in the air. "Within two seconds they were there and all over me. I had a punch to the face, I had boots kicking me down to the floor, I had a knee to the ribs. My hands were on the floor, one man was standing on my hand."

New Zealand police denied beating Dotcom. But internal police documents called the raid "heavy-handed," and "over the top," the New Zealand Herald reports. Legal hearings are ongoing as the High Court in Auckland hears the government's appeal of the earlier decision declaring the Dotcom home raid illegal.

Here is the 3News raid footage along with testimony from the case, for your viewing pleasure: