In this hearing, which is expected to last three days, Dotcom is seeking the return of all seized evidence that is deemed to be irrelevant to the case.

Dotcom's lawyer Paul Davison QC opened the proceedings by cross-examining his client, asking Dotcom what the effect of the raid had been on him and his family.

"I would say it was dramatic, to an extent that we still feel it to this day," Dotcom replied. "Our beautiful home has been turned into a haunted house... life is not the same."

Dotcom said he was in his bedroom when the raid took place, where he has two beds -- one for sleeping and one for "working on". He was on the "working" bed, updating Windows on his laptop when he heard the sound of a helicopter landing nearby. This sound not unusual he said, as he was expecting guests who often arrived by helicopter, but shortly afterwards he heard loud banging at the bedroom door.

He said he left the bedroom and hurried to a safe room nearby. This was where he first became aware that police were raiding his house, as he heard shouts of "police!" coming from outside the room.