Stats New Zealand is rejecting criticism that law changes will erode its independence.
Former chief statistician Len Cook told Morning Report last week that a bill before parliament opens the way for Stats' powers to be transferred to other agencies, with no controls or limits.
Constitutional lawyer Sir Geoffrey Palmer and former Stats Minister Maurice Williamson voiced similar criticism.
But the Deputy Government Statistician, Dr Craig Jones, told RNZ reporter Phil Pennington this is "at best a misunderstanding", or misleading.
