The National Ethics Advisory Committee's (NEAC) statutory functions are to provide advice to the Minister of Health on ethical issues of national significance regarding health and disability research and services, and to determine nationally consistent ethical standards and provide scrutiny for such research and services.

NEAC was established under section 16 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000, and its members were appointed in December 2001. The Committee’s full name is the National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability Support Services Ethics, and it is also known by its Māori name; Kāhui Matatika o te Motu. Read more about us.

News and Updates

Sept 4: Three new members were recently appointed to NEAC by the Minister of Health:

• Robin Wray - community/consumer representative
• Jacob Te Kurapa – community/consumer representative
• Lorna Dyall – health researcher

Aug 24: Meeting minutes for June 9

June 29: Meeting minutes for March 10


January 21: NEAC’s Annual Report 2007 has been presented to the Minister of Health and has been tabled in the House of Representatives. The 2007 annual report states NEAC’s approach to its policy work on services and research ethics, and sets out NEAC’s activities for 2007.

A major achievement for the Committee was completion of its public health project on pandemic planning with the publication of Getting Through Together: Ethical values for a pandemic (July 2007), which was recognised by the World Health Organization.

This annual report contains details of NEAC’s projects, committee membership, and secretariat information.

Please email neac@moh.govt.nz if you would like a hard-copy of the 2007 Annual Report.


21 January: Ethics of Intervention Studies: Discussion Document and draft Ethical Guidelines for Intervention Studies

NEAC has consulted on its Discussion Document and draft Ethical Guidelines for Intervention Studies.

Health professionals offer ‘interventions’ to prevent, diagnose or treat illness or disease. They need to know which interventions are safe and effective for the people who seek their help. Intervention studies are their main source of reliable information on this subject.

NEAC’s work on intervention studies aims to contribute to better health outcomes and reduced health inequalities for New Zealanders by assisting researchers to perform sound intervention studies.

Please email neac@moh.govt.nz if you would like a copy of this publication.


View full list of news and updates.

Page last updated: 4 September 2009