Technology specialists are rejecting Government claims that interference with National Party websites shows the need for its new spy legislation.
The group Anonymous New Zealand has claimed responsibility for taking down more than a dozen websites of senior National MPs and the party's environmental wing, the BlueGreens, in protest against the GCSB bill.
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Justice Minister Judith Collins have said the incident shows why strong legislation is needed to protect infrastructure like Government websites.
But internet law specialist Rick Shera compares Anonymous New Zealand's actions to protesters picketing a building to stop people entering it and describes them as low-level attacks.
Technology commentator Ben Gracewood says hacking is a very loose term and can range from people who tinker with electronics to criminals.
