Public servants have complained of "a chilling effect" on democracy after Associate Health Minister Casey Costello accused health officials of undermining her efforts.

The number of Christchurch Hospital staff who may have inhaled toxic fumes from a construction site has jumped to 84.

The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) is proposing to slash 51 jobs, or 8 percent of its workforce, as part of public sector cost cutting measures.

Nurses with special authorisation for assessing and detaining mental health patients have quit over safety fears. They are worried about a police pullback on mental health callouts and changes to hospital procedures.