Kia ora! My name’s Dr. Katie McMenamin. I am a full-time postdoctoral research fellow with Massey University, seconded to HARC. I have a background in health equity research, clinical psychology, and paramedicine. I completed my PhD in 2020 through the University of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. My thesis centred around parental attitudes to deafness and its impact on the development of cultural identity in d/Deaf children. I have a particular interest in cultural identity and health equity, for Māori and other marginalised groups within New Zealand (e.g., the Deaf community and equity within transgender healthcare). My recent work includes an overview of current equity issues within the Whanganui region, a sector analysis of cancer screening  programmes within primary care, a review of pregnancy issues and outcomes for hapū māmā (pregnant Māori women) to inform the ongoing Best Start project, and a qualitative analysis of the Whanganui Gout Stop Programme. I am currently involved in an asset-based qualitative analysis of a rural general practice in South Taranaki.

In addition to my current projects, I am involved with the Whanganui Rainbow Healthcare Reference Group, and I am a member of PATHA (Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa) and of WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health). I am working closely with other researchers with Aotearoa working in the transgender healthcare space to develop further research in this area.

Finally, I am the President of Deaf Children New Zealand (DCNZ), a parent-led volunteer organisation that supports parents and families of d/Deaf and hard of hearing children.