Labour MP Annette King has been given a serve by Attorney General Chris Finlayson for making public comments about her shock at the police actions in the Ureweras' investigation.
Ms King was the Police Minister in October 2007 when officers used warrants to raid alleged military training camps in the Ureweras, in what was called "Operation 8".
Seventeen people were arrested and 16 were charged with firearms offences. An 18th person was later charged but charges against all but four were dropped after a lengthy legal battle.
Following a trial at the High Court at Auckland last week, Tame Iti, Emily Bailey, Urs Signer and Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara were each found guilty of several firearms charges but not guilty of others.
The jury could not reach a verdict on a charge of belonging to an organised criminal group.
Speaking on TVNZ's Q + A yesterday, Ms King said she had been advised by Solicitor-General David Collins that police were right to proceed with the raids under the Terrorism Suppression Act.
"We had relied on the advice that we were given that everything that was being done was being done correctly and so to then find that in fact the law ... was incoherent and they weren't able to proceed, and much of the evidence they had gathered was not able to be used, now that was a big disappointment."
Ms King said she had no idea police would use the tactics they did when carrying out the operation, particularly around children and older people.
"I think many of the Cabinet, probably most of the Cabinet and the caucus, was dismayed at the way people were upset in that community that had nothing to do with anything that had been going on in the area.
In a statement, Mr Finlayson criticised Ms King for making allegations about the investigation, saying that the matter was still before the court and it was inappropriate for the Labour MP to comment publicly.
Mr Finlayson said the group was yet to be sentenced, the defendants might yet appeal their guilty verdicts, and the Crown Solicitor was yet to make a decision on whether or not to seek a re-trial on the charges where no verdict was returned.
"It is extremely disappointing a former minister of the police would make these comments on television when she knows full well the Court process must run its course."
"It is inappropriate for anyone, but particularly for politicians, to comment publicly on matters that are before the courts."