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Maori activist Tame Iti made an impromptu visit to Iran earlier this year - but supporters say it was a legitimate business trip.
The Tuhoe sovereignty campaigner - one of 17 people arrested during last month's nationwide police raids - has been accused of running camps in the Urewera which led to the so-called terror raids.
He is facing 11 counts of unlawful possession of firearms, including Molotov cocktails, a .22 Ruger, another .22 rifle and a military-style Saiga 7.62 rifle. Iti has denied suggestions he is a terrorist, or that any terrorist acts were planned. A source close to Iti confirmed the 55-year-old activist had visited Iran earlier this year in a bid to broker a commercial fishing deal with an Iranian businessman.
However, the deal went sour and Iti returned home.
Neither Iti nor his lawyer Annette Sykes could be reached for comment yesterday.
