There's concern about the whistle blowers in the Nigel Murray case.

Murray's lawyers are arguing confidential statements made to the State Services Commission should be released.

The former Waikato DHB chief executive spent $120-thousand on travel and accommodation that was either unjustified or unauthorised.

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell says the whistleblowers went into the process believing they would have confidentiality.

"It was not a conducive environment for bringing out concerns so that put their heads on the chopping block.

"In many respects they are the heroes of all of this."

Those whistleblowers in the case are being dubbed heroes.

Powell says he's concerned about the whistleblowers, were very brave, despite dealing with an assertive chief executive.

"There was an environment of fear there, and also and a board chair, where the best thing you could say about him is that he was way out of his depth."

That chairman was Bob Simcock, who's since resigned.

LISTEN ABOVE AS IAN POWELL SPEAKS WITH LARRY WILLIAMS