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FIREWORKS

The Dotcoms had moved to New Zealand in December 2010 as residents, and when they came, it was on the wings of the country's favourite son. Hollywood and the Megaupload founder are inextricably bound together — the family had chartered a private jet belonging to Lord of the Rings' director Peter Jackson.

They landed at Auckland International Airport on 15 December and were whisked through passport control, arrangements having been made to treat the new residents in the same way celebrities and royalty are.

Dotcom was flushed with the success of his residency and wanted to share that success with his new country. Just a few weeks later, on New Year's Eve, he paid for the most expensive privately funded fireworks display seen in New Zealand. The skyline was brightened by $500,000 worth of skyrockets and explosives, detonated on a raft floating in the Waitemata Harbour. The Dotcoms watched from a helicopter and then joined guests at the exclusive waterfront apartment of property developer David Henderson, rented by the couple for the evening. Arriving, they again met John Banks and his wife Amanda — in just a few weeks they would all meet yet again at Dotcom's birthday party at the mansion.

On that night, Banks was all generosity and warmth, saying: "I'm going to propose a toast to Kim Dotcom. Please fill your glasses and stand. Happy birthday and best wishes to Kim Dotcom, Mona and his family."

The Dotcoms were in New Zealand for their longest stay so far, stretching across summer until March 2011. The difference between residing in New Zealand and simply visiting was stark. The couple went from traveling on holiday to having their lives here. But the Coatesville community was no more welcoming than it had been. The

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