Managing your approved human ethics application
Post-approval responsibilities for human ethics applications, including how to manage amendments, meet reporting obligations (final and adverse events) and maintain compliance.
On this page:
Receiving ethics approval is not the end of the process. You are responsible for managing your approved human ethics application in line with approval conditions and reporting requirements.
Important notice
From 13 April 2026, new Ethical Guidelines and a new human ethics application form are now in effect, bringing AHREC and UAHPEC applications together into a single form. For more information, see: How to apply for human ethics approval.
Draft applications started in the current AHREC or UAHPEC forms will remain available until 30 June 2026, after which they will be archived. New applications initiated from April 2026 should use the new human ethics application form.
When transferring an application, making an amendment or closing a project, use the original form the application was created on. The principal investigator must request the form to be unlocked from the Ethics team.
Amendments
If you need to change your approved project (for example, study design, documents, or participant details), submit an amendment in Ethics RM.
For instructions on how to raise amendments, see the Ethics RM User Guide.
To find out when an amendment is required, refer to the Ethical Guidelines - 3.3 Amendments.
Reporting obligations
Once your study is approved, keep your reporting up to date.
Final report
When your study is complete, submit a Final Report Form in Ethics RM to close your project. And retain your data in accordance with the University’s Research Data Policy and approved retention schedule.
For details, see the Ethical Guidelines – 1.11 Data and Secondary Use of Data and 3.5 Final Reports.
Report adverse events
If something unexpected happens, prioritise participant safety and report it using the Adverse Events Form in Ethics RM.
For details, see the Ethical Guidelines – 3.6 Adverse Events and Complaints.
For guidance on the process, refer to the Ethics RM User Guides.
Key resources
Contact
University of Auckland Human Participant Ethics Committee (UAHPEC)
Email: humanethics@auckland.ac.nz
Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC)
Email: ahrec@auckland.ac.nz