Statistics New Zealand's decision to review the schedule of data releases after this week's 7.5 magnitude earthquake left its Wellington headquarters unusable for up to a year has highlighted the agency's reliance on the head office.

The quake damaged the 11-year-old building to such an extent that Statistics NZ's staff won't be allowed back in for up to 12 months, and its website and public data sources are out of action, although its Auckland and Christchurch offices remain open.

The agency was scheduled to release the September retail trade survey today, but has put that off until further notice and is reviewing its release calendar.

While that's seen as more of a nuisance to economists who rely on government data, New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's Christina Leung says the agency has too much emphasis on the Wellington office.

"I can't believe that it has all its systems concentrated and are so reliant on Wellington," Ms Leung says.  Read the full article on NBR