School of Nursing
Applying to the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee
Staff and students in the School of Nursing undertaking research that involves patients, staff and/or the facilities of health organisations should apply for ethical approval from the Health and Disability Ethics Committee.
There are four steps staff and students should follow when applying for ethics approval from the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee.
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Step one: choose the correct health and disability committee to submit your application
Northern X and Y Regional Ethics Committees
There are two regional ethics committees for the northern region: Northern X and Northern Y.
You should apply to either of these Regional Ethics Committees if your research will be conducted within the boundaries of Northland to Tairawhiti District Health Boards.
Both committees will review all types of applications and staff should submit to the committee with the next available agenda closing date.
Multi-Regional Ethics Committee
If your research is to be undertaken across multiple regions you must apply to the multi-regions Ethics Committee.
Step two: select the correct application form
Expedited review
If your research involves observational or audit related activity you can apply for expedited review. Observation studies cover such activities as: case control studies, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, case reports, case series or descriptive studies that are low-risk. In the following link, you can find the expedited review application form and guidelines on how to complete it.
New Zealand Health and Disability Expedited Review
Full national review
A national application form must be completed if you research does not fit the criteria for expedited review. In the following link, you can find the national application form and guideline on how to complete.
Step three: obtain locality assessments (for national applications only)
If you are submitting a national application you will need to obtain locality assessments from each of the localities in which you will undertake your research. These assessments can be initiated while you are applying for ethical approval, although any approval will be conditional on you receiving completed locality assessments.
In the following webpage, you will find further information on the locality assessments.
Step four: submit your application to the Faculty Research Office
The Faculty closing dates for ethics applications differ to those advertised by the UAHPEC in order to allow for sign-off. View the closing dates.
All completed applications should be accompanied by the 
Dean's cover sheet (46.0KB DOC)
One original application (unstapled) with the Dean’s cover sheet attached should be submitted to the Faculty Research Office:
FMHS Research Office
Administration
Level 6, Ecom House
3 Ferncroft Street, Grafton
After signature by the Associate Dean (research), the application will be copied and sent to the appropriate New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee for the next meeting.
Further advice
For advice and procedural checks please contact the School of Nursing Ethics Advisors:
