Not everything that involves people is research — until it is. The distinction between outreach and research is often blurred, and projects can move between the two over time. What matters is recognising when that shift is occurring and responding appropriately.

When 2012 reforms shut community researchers out of NZ's health ethics committees, former HDEC chairs built NZEC — a free, independent committee treating applicants with dignity. AREC replaced it. When demand from paying clients overwhelmed AREC, IHREC was created to charge commercial and government researchers — protecting the free pathway by funding a paid one beside it.