Tame Iti has appealed his conviction and sentence on weapons charges and hopes to be freed on bail while it is heard.

Defence lawyer Russell Fairbrother lodged the appeal this morning.

Iti was convicted of illegal possession of firearms and explosives and was sentenced on Thursday to two-and-a-half years in prison.

His co-offender, Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara, is also appealing.

Iti and Kemara were convicted along with Urs Signer and Emily Bailey following military-style training camps in the Urewera Ranges in 2006 and 2007.

Signer and Bailey are being assessed for home detention.

Fairbrother declined to comment today, saying the matter was now before the courts again.

He told Breakfast TV the appeal against the sentence was based on what evidence the judge could take into account to determine the sentence.

The appeal against the conviction was based on directions the judge gave to the jury.

He said he would be applying for bail as Iti was "no risk to the community", as demonstrated by the four years he had already spent on bail.

Fairbrother said he had spoken to Iti in prison and his client was "pretty philosophical" but he "certainly doesn't want to be there".

- © Fairfax NZ News