ACC Minister Nick Smith has rejected accusations he has gagged the corporation by attending a select committee hearing because the new board chairman was away cycling.
At a financial review of the Accident Compensation Corporation on Thursday, Dr Smith answered questions that were put to ACC chief executive Jan White, prompting a series of testy exchanges with Labour MPs.
His appearance at the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee caused a delay at the start of the hearing as MPs argued over whether he should be there.
New chairman John Judge says Dr Smith appeared before the select committee at his request.
Mr Judge was appointed on Monday and says he knows little as yet about ACC's past financial year.