Research - Approval process

Planning your research project If you are preparing to undertake research in Auckland DHB, there are a few things you will need to consider before finalising your research plan. Check out these links for helpful information for planning your project.

Research approval process
All research involving Auckland DHB must receive approval from the Auckland DHB Research Review Committee before commencing. The Research Office will register your project and organise the review process for you. Contact Us

Maori research assessment. Research conducted at Auckland DHB must be responsive to Maori. We will organise a Maori review for you once we have received all of your essential documents. Click the link for more information.
Auckland DHB Standard Research Approval Pathway (RRC). Click here for our standard form. [DOC, 152 KB]
Auckland DHB approval pathway for Low Risk Studies. If your study is low risk, low impact and receiving ethical review by a Health and Disability Ethics Committee (HDEC) you can use our low risk pathway. Click here for the application form [DOC, 157 KB].
Alternatively, Auckland DHB researchers undertaking low risk research may apply via The Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC) pathway. If you are seeking ethical approval from AHREC for your low risk study you may also use the AHREC form for the Auckland DHB approval. A separate Auckland DHB low risk form is not required but remember to send a copy of your AHREC form and supporting documents to the Research Office. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/research/about-our-research/human-ethics/ahrec.html()
Essential documents checklist. Click here to find out which documents the Research Office needs to review your application: Checklist [PDF, 199 KB]
Locality Authorisation for Ethics. [PDF, 101 KB]Mandatory for all research reviewed by a Health and Disability Ethics Committee (HDEC).

Post-approval: ongoing requirements

Amendments. [DOCX, 115 KB] Major, and all other study amendments that will affect the study budget, require RRC approval. Click here for the form to complete.
For HDEC-approved research, you must provide an HDEC "Approved Progress Report" letter annually. Otherwise your Auckland DHB locality approval may be withdrawn. Use the below link to our FAQs page for guidance on how to submit annual reports to HDEC.
Guide for submitting an HDEC annual progress report

Serious Adverse Events (SAEs).
End of study final report.
Note that it's the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to inform the Research Office when a study may be closed. The Research Office closes a study if the following two elements are fulfilled.

- ALL data collection procedures as per the approved protocol have been completed.
- NO further resources are required or utilised on the study.