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Research approval - locality, ethics, Māori review

Research Approvals

All research undertaken within Health New Zealand, Te Toka Tumai requires ethical approval and research authorisation, and may require other approvals depending on the type of activity being conducted.

Quick links:

Contact us: starshipresearch@adhb.govt.nz or visit the research support page

Ethics

Research ethics is typically obtained from either the Health and Disability Ethics Committees (HDEC) or the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC). All projects must comply with the National Ethics Advisory Committee (NEAC) national ethical standards for research and healthcare quality improvement: NEAC guidelines. These standards apply to all activities that fit within research and quality improvement, even where your clinical audit/QI activity is exempt from formal ethical oversight.

Health and Disability Ethics Committees (HDEC)

Health and disability studies aim to generate knowledge for the purpose of improving health and independence outcomes. The HDEC checks that proposed health and disability studies meet established ethical standards in order to protect participants.

Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC)

AHREC provides ethical oversight and approval of health research, health-related research, and clinical studies that are not eligible for HDEC review. University of Auckland staff and students and Health NZ employees across Te Toka Tumai (Auckland), Counties Manukau, Waitematā, and Te Tai Tokerau are eligible to apply to AHREC.

Please note that an HDEC out of scope letter does not mean you do not need ethics review. If you are conducting research that has received an out of scope outcome from HDEC, but still requires ethics approval, you must apply to AHREC. If you are unsure, please email us.

Research authorisation (former Locality Approval)

All research that involves Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora patients, data, staff or facilities requires Health NZ research authorisation (formerly known as Locality Approval).

Single Research Application Form (SiRAF)

From 1st July 2026 Health NZ Research launched the Single Research Application Form (SiRAF) across the country. SiRAF replaces district-based locality application forms and provides a single, consistent process and standardised form for research authorisation across Health NZ.

Research Offices are now using SiRAF for all applications from researchers seeking Health NZ authorisation for research studies.

Māori research review

Assessment of research projects' responsiveness to Māori is provided by He Kamaka Waiora Māori Health Research Services and coordinated via the Auckland/Starship research office

Researchers should follow best practice when planning research. There are established guidelines to help design research in a culturally appropriate, respectful and ethical way. These include Te Ara Tika Guidelines for Māori Research: Te Ara Tika Guidelines for Māori Research Ethics.

Researchers should also be aware of Māori data sovereignty, which is supported by the Te Mana Raraunga Māori Data Sovereignty Network. This focuses on Māori rights and control over data about Māori. Te Mana Raraunga Māori Data Sovereignty Network.

The nature of your project will determine the level of Māori engagement and consultation required. Inclusion of a Māori investigator for Aotearoa led projects is recommended and considering this before you submit your Māori research review application is encouraged.

FAQ - Clinical Audit

Does my audit require ethics and locality?

A clinical audit, investigates whether an activity meets explicit standards, as defined by national or international standards, policies, guidelines (i.e. clinical practice guidelines) or best practice reviews for the purpose of checking and improving the activity audited.

This differs from a ‘research audit’, more accurately described as observational research, which attempts to create new generalisable knowledge in response to an acknowledged information gap. See the approval requirements above.

Ethical approval is not required for a clinical audit conducted within Health New Zealand, Te Toka Tumai. The correct process for a clinical audit is:

  1. Obtain sign off from your SCD/service using the attached form: Access to patient info for research or audit - Grafton Clinical Records form.

  2. Submit this to Clinical Records Ak-Grclinvram@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz (the organisation then has an audit trail of your access to patient study data for audit).