Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency promoted the census through various urban marae and its chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said they welcomed the scrutiny. Photo: Supplied
This story has been updated with the name of Pania Gray who will also lead the inquiry.
An agency involved in promoting the census and Covid-19 vaccination drive says it welcomes an inquiry into private data protection.
The Public Service Commission will conduct an independent inquiry after allegations that Te Pāti Māori misused census data during the 2023 election campaign.
Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said they welcomed the scrutiny and were concerned about the allegations, accusations, speculation and innuendo.
The agency promoted the census through various urban marae.
She said the agency "exceeded its contract with the Department of Statistics for the 2023 Census".
A group of former workers at Manurewa Marae said private data from census forms was used to target voters in the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate.
Prominent barrister Michael Heron, KC, and Pania Gray of Kororā Consulting will lead the inquiry.
