Maritime NZ says it strongly rejects allegations it took action against a business after its managing director told a Parliamentary select committee the agency was "grossly overcharging".
Speaker David Carter received a letter from Labour MP David Cunliffe raising concerns about Maritime NZ's actions against Margaret Wind, managing director of Maritime Management Services Ltd.
Those alleged and unspecified actions came after Wind made a submission to the Regulations Review Committee that was strongly critical of Maritime NZ.
"It is suggested that this action could amount to a contempt of the House in that the managing director may have been disadvantaged on account of giving that evidence," Mr Carter said this afternoon.
"An allegation that a state sector agency used its power against a person on account of evidence given to a select committee requires serious attention, given the importance of free speech to this House."