The Health Minister is defending staff confidentiality agreements

Labour has complained to the Public Service Commission about the number of non-disclosure agreements gagging Health New Zealand staff from talking about work.

It claims 67 staff have signed them since June - including senior leaders responsible for briefing media and members of Parliament.

Minister Shane Reti says he has no concerns, and the previous government used a similar process.

He says confidentiality agreements must be used appropriately - but are common in commercial environments with sensitive issues.