Applying for human ethics approval

The Human Ethics Committee ensures that research involving human participants, their data or tissue complies with the University's Human Ethics Policy.

You need ethics approval to begin formal research procedures, such as recruitment or data collection. Retrospective approval is not possible, so leave plenty of time to complete ethics requirements before the start of your project.

To apply for ethics approval, you will complete an online form in Hōkai and upload supporting documents using the supplied document templates on the Guidance and resources for ethics applicants page.

The HEC is supported by the Research Office. For any inquiries, contact the Research Office ethics team at human-ethics@vuw.ac.nz.

Application risk levels

The application form will prompt you to identify your research as Category A (high risk) or Category B (low risk). Determinations of risk are on a case-by-case basis, and the ethics team will review your nominated risk category after you submit.

Category A applications are discussed in a committee meeting and must be submitted two weeks prior to the meeting date.

Category B applications are reviewed between meetings and can be submitted at any point.

Regardless of category, ethics applications normally take between three and five weeks to be approved. For a more detailed timeline, see the Guidance and resources for ethics applicants page.

    2025 HEC meeting dates

    The HEC meets fortnightly throughout the year to discuss Category A applications. Meetings are open to applicants and their supervisors by prior arrangement. Contact the ethics team at human-ethics@vuw.ac.nz if you wish to attend.

    Deadline Meeting
    Tuesday 21 October 2025Tuesday 4 November 2025
    Thursday 30 October 2025Thursday 20 November 2025
    Tuesday 11 November 2025 (Tuesday 18 November for summer scholars and Trimester 3 students)Tuesday 2 December 2025
    Thursday 15 January 2026Thursday 29 January 2026
    Tuesday 27 January 2026Tuesday 10 February 2026
    Thursday 12 February 2026Thursday 26 February 2026
    Tuesday, 24 February 2026Tuesday 10 March 2026
    Thursday 12 March 2026Thursday 26 March 2026
    Tuesday 31 March 2026Tuesday 14 April 2026
    Thursday 16 April 2026Thursday 30 April 2026
    Tuesday 28 April 2026Tuesday 12 May 2026
    Thursday 14 May 2026Thursday 28 May 2026
    Tuesday 26 May 2026Tuesday 9 June 2026
    Thursday 11 June 2026Thursday 25 June 2026

    Where to get help

    If you are a student, your supervisor is your first port of call for help with your application. For Honours- and Master’s-level research, your supervisor is assigned the role of Principal Investigator (PI) and your ethics application will be submitted in their name. PhD students submit applications in their own name, with supervisor oversight.

    Students, supervisors, and staff should consult our Guidance and resources for ethics applicants page for assistance with the ethics approval process.

    If you need to amend or extend your application, let us know about an adverse incident, or handle a complaint, go to our After you have ethics approval page.

    You can also contact the ethics team at human-ethics@vuw.ac.nz for specific advice or attend one of our regular ethics training sessions. Training can be arranged for groups on request.

    For technical assistance, visit Hōkai training and support or email Hokai@vuw.ac.nz.