Throughout its history, the Commission's main function was to advise the Government about improving productivity that was related to supporting the well-being of New Zealanders including different interest and population groups.

[5] The Commission's purview included the entire New Zealand economy, but was tasked with producing regular reports on efficiency, effectiveness and service delivery in government agencies.

Former Reserve Bank official and centre-right commentator Michael Reddell alleged that Nana and other Commission staff were vocally left-wing and disinterested in productivity.

[6] Nana disputed allegations of political bias and argued that these criticisms were rooted in differing economic perspectives.

[3][6] Massey University Sociologist Paul Spoonley has defended the Commission's work, arguing that it was not rooted in ideology.