The Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ECART) is a ministerial committee established under section 27 of the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (HART) Act 2004(external link). ECART reviews, determines and monitors applications for assisted reproductive procedures and human reproductive research.

ECART application information and advice

Important Update: Change to Extended Storage Application Process  

 From 1 December 2025, the administrative process for applying to extend the storage of eggs, sperm and embryos has changed.  

 What’s New  

• Applications to extend storage of eggs, sperm and embryos must now be made by your fertility clinic.  
• Your clinic will complete and submit an application to ECART on your behalf.  

 What You Need to Do  

• Provide your clinic with required information they request well before the storage expiry date so that they can complete and submit an application on your behalf.  

 Key Points  

• There is a transition period, if your application comes to us before 1 March 2026, we will work with your clinic to ensure that your application gets considered.
• Direct applications to ECART will not be accepted from 1 March  
• ECART cannot approve applications after the expiry date.  Without ECART approval to extend storage, clinics must discard the tissue within 6 months of the expiry date.

 If for any reason you cannot be supported by your clinic to submit an application, please contact the ECART Secretariat: ecart@health.govt.nz

While our website has some guidance on the application process, we encourage you to contact your nearest fertility clinic for more information and advice on how to make an application to ECART.