Kia ora! My name’s Dr. Katie McMenamin. I am a health equity researcher for the Health and Research Collaborative (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 equity issues within the Whanganui region, a sector analysis of cancer screening  programmes within primary care, an evaluation of the Best Start model of care for hapū māmā (pregnant Māori women), an asset-based qualitative analysis of a rural general practice in South Taranaki, and research around the healthcare needs of transgender and gender diverse people in the Whanganui region. I am currently working with a group of people from the Whanganui transgender community on improving access to safe physical activities and am seeking funding to co-design a Kaupapa Māori wrap-around service for transgender youth and their whānau during early transition. I am also applying for funding to pilot and evaluate the benefits of equine (horse) therapy for marginalised groups within the Whanganui region.

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.