Asked what was behind the threats to MPs, Mr Little said this afternoon that some New Zealanders were in a worse position compared to a year ago and were feeling less confident about the future.
"It's not a justification for aggressive behaviour or even aggressive comments. But if you combine a sense that people are feeling that life is tougher along with this change in the tone of a lot of communications -- some of which are coming from well-paid PR operatives too I might add -- then it's not surprising that there are some people who are going to read completely the wrong signal and think that it's OK to make completely unacceptable comments."
Mr Little appeared to single out lobbyist Matthew Hooton.
Asked by a reporter whether he was referring to Mr Hooton, he said "Could be". He said the lobbyist had "a particularly vicious ... edge to his communications".
Mr Little said he could not cite specific communications off the top of his head.
"They have an edge to them, that is, I think, unfitting of somebody who claims to be a disinterested observer with right-wing leanings."
Mr Hooton is a former National Party press secretary and is now an outspoken right-wing political commentator.
Asked to respond to Mr Little's comments, Mr Hooton said the Labour leader was "an idiot" and he had "no idea" what he was referring to.
"I can't think of anything that could be characterised as vicious over the last 12 months or so," he said.
"I should probably seek an apology ... but I don't think he's a person worth seeking an apology from."