Environment Commissioner Jan Wright needs more funding to complete her work on fracking, an oil and gas drilling technique.
Her interim report into horizontal hydraulic fracturing (fracking) found the technique can be done safely in New Zealand as long as it follows best practice.
Dr Wright said on Thursday that specialist advice is needed for her final report on how well those practices are monitored.
She told Parliament's Local Government and Environment Committee her office funding has decreased over the past few years and she will need more money if she is to finish the report this year.
