SBC - Regional and Multi-region Ethics Committees

Appointments to Health Statutory Bodies
Information On A Particular Statutory Body

Regional and Multi-region Ethics Committees

Relevant Legislation

The following ethics committees have been established under section 11 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000:

Multi-region Ethics Committee
Northern X Regional Ethics Committee
Northern Y Regional Ethics Committee
Central Regional Ethics
Upper Southern A Regional Ethics Committee
Upper Southern B Regional Ethics Committee
Lower Southern Regional Ethics Committee

Click here to see the relevant legislation

Functions

The Multi-region Ethics Committee is responsible for any national and multi-region research that is undertaken in New Zealand. The Regional Ethics Committees are responsible for any health and disability research that is undertaken in their respective DHB areas.

The primary role of the committees is to provide independent ethical review of health research and innovative practice to safeguard the rights, health and wellbeing of consumers and research participants and, in particular, those persons with diminished autonomy. In order to do this, the committees shall:

foster an awareness of ethical principles and practices in the health and disability sector and research community
facilitate excellence in health research and innovative practice for the wellbeing of society
collaborate with researchers to ensure the interests, rights, dignity, welfare, health, and wellbeing of participants and consumers are protected
give due consideration to community views
consistent with section 4 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 and He Korowai Oranga, recognise and respect the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
operate in accordance with the Operational Standard for Health and Disability Ethics Committees
operate in accordance with any guidance issued or approved by the Minister of Health.

Composition

Each committee consists of 12 members, half of who are laypersons. The specific membership criteria are listed as:

laypersons–

one ethicist
one lawyer
two consumer representatives
two community representatives

non-laypersons–

one biostatistician
one pharmacist or pharmacologist
two health researchers
two health practitioners.

Each committee must also have a minimum of two members who have a recognised awareness of te reo Mäori, and an understanding of tikanga Mäori.

The committees will a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, with the Chairperson appointed by the Minister of Health from the committees’ laypersons and the Deputy Chairperson appointed by the committee from the non-laypersons.

Terms of Reference

These files explain the terms and conditions of appointment to the Regional Ethics Committees and Multi-region Ethics Committee and provide additional information about its role.

Multi-region Ethics Committee - Terms of Reference (Word, 60 KB)
Northern X Regional Ethics Committee - Terms of Reference (Word, 62 KB)
Northern Y Regional Ethics Committee - Terms of Reference (Word, 62 KB)
Central Regional Ethics - Terms of Reference (Word, 61 KB)
Upper Southern A Regional Ethics Committee - Terms of Reference (Word, 63 KB)
Upper Southern B Regional Ethics Committee - Terms of Reference (Word, 61 KB)
Lower Southern Regional Ethics Committee - Terms of Reference (Word, 61 KB)

Relevant Links

Multi-region and Regional Ethics Committees( www.ethicscommittees.health.govt.nz)

Contact Regarding Appointments

Statutory Bodies Appointments Team
Corporate Services Directorate
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
WELLINGTON

statutory_boards_committees@moh.govt.nz

Page last updated: 22 December 2008