Dr Christina McKerchar, Our people, Health Promotion and Policy Research Unit

Senior Lecturer in Māori Health

BCApSc, MSc with distinction, PhD

Email christina.mckerchar@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 364 3638

Department of Population Health
University of Otago, Christchurch
PO Box 4345
Christchurch 8140

Background

Christina is of Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūhoe, and Ngāti Porou descent. She trained as a nutritionist and worked for a number of years for Te Hotu Manawa Māori, a national Māori Health provider, before her academic career. Her research has focused broadly on the right to healthy food. She has researched the food environment, especially food availability and marketing, food security and food sovereignty, and other aspects of public health that impact hauora Māori, including alcohol, transport, and housing.

Christina is a member of Climate Health Aotearoa, and is on the Food Expert panel for Health Coalition Aotearoa. She also chairs the Māori Research Advisory Rōpū, to support Māori Health Advancement at the University of Otago, Christchurch.

Teaching

Convenor: PUBH 712 Foundations of Hauora Māori
Convenor: PUBH 741 Hauora Māori - Policy, Practice and Research

Research interests

Public Health Nutrition
Food security
Māori Health

Current projects

Te Rōpū Rangahau ō Te Kāhui Matepukupuku: Cancer Society Research Collaboration
Sustainable New Zealand diets: Assessing the health and environmental benefits of sustainable New Zealand diets, Healthier Lives, National Science Challenge
ACTIVATION: Activating Change Through Interventions for Active Travel in our Neighbourhoods, Healthier Lives, National Science Challenge

Completed projects

He kai kei aku ringaringa. Food security on the West Coast – Te Tai o Poutini (UORG 2020) (PDF)
Gut Symptom Te Waipounamu investigation project (DOCX)
Further information relating to the Gut Symptom Te Waipounamu investigation project
- Delayed diagnosis of gut symptoms-A literature review (PDF)
- Gut Symptom investigation Te Waipounamu-qualitative findings (PDF)

Current supervision

Nicki Williams, PhD
Cara Meredith, PhD
Els Russell, Master of Public Health (Thesis)
Tom Worters, Master of Public Health (Thesis)

Completed supervision

Silas Thielmann: Whakangā: Whānau experiences of living with Bronchiectasis and navigating the health system, MPH (Dissertation), Completed 2021
Aaron Hapuku: Tuhinga whakarāpopoto, Completed 2019
Sai Machiraju: The Underutilization of Mental Health Services: Perspectives of Indian Women in Christchurch, MPH (Dissertation) Completed 2018
Donna Southorn: “I'm Just a Young Mother” Teenage Mothers' Perspectives on Early Parenthood, MPH (Dissertation) Completed 2016

Publications

Lim, N., Steien, D., McKerchar, C., Mirosa, M., Tan-Smith, C., & Tuhiwai Smith, L. (2024, November). Child nutrition. Panel discussion at the Paediatric Society of New Zealand Te Kāhui Mātai Arotamariki o Aotearoa (PSNZ) 75th Annual Meeting, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McKerchar, C. (2024, November). Not like when we were young: Food environments for tamariki today. Verbal presentation at the Paediatric Society of New Zealand Te Kāhui Mātai Arotamariki o Aotearoa (PSNZ) 75th Annual Meeting, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Crossin, R., Dikstaal, J., McKerchar, C., Cleland, L., Beautrais, A., Witt, K., & Boden, J. M. (2024). Sex-specific analysis of acute alcohol use in suicides and reporting of alcohol as a contributor to suicide deaths in New Zealand 2007-2020: A cross-sectional study of coronial data. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 137(1604), 62-72. Retrieved from https://nzmj.org.nz/ Journal - Research Article

Coppell, K., Barthow, C., McKerchar, C., Jones, B., & McKinlay, E. (2024, September). Using a modified Citizen's Jury approach to inform the prevention of diabetes, a multidimensional problem, in a community. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting, Waitangi, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Meredith, C., McKerchar, C., Haitana, T., & Pitama, S. (2024). Whāia te iti kahurangi: Seeking perinatal mental health equity. Māori offer solutions for the health system. Mental Health & Prevention. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200362 Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

Russell, E., McKerchar, C., Berghan, J., Curl, A., & Fitt, H. (2024). Considering the importance of transport to the wellbeing of Māori social housing residents. Journal of Transport & Health, 36, 101809. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2024.101809

Crossin, R., Norriss, D., McKerchar, C., Martin, G., Pocock, T., & Curl, A. (2024). Quantifying access to on-demand alcohol in New Zealand. Drug & Alcohol Review, 43, 416-424. doi: 10.1111/dar.13785

Gage, R., Connor, J., Jackson, N., McKerchar, C., & Signal, L. (2024). Generating political priority for alcohol policy reform: A framework to guide advocacy and research. Drug & Alcohol Review, 43, 381-392. doi: 10.1111/dar.13782

Journal - Research Other

Pitama, S., Haitana, T., Patu, M., Robson, B., Harris, R., McKerchar, C., Clark, T., & Crengle, S. (2024). Toitū Te Tiriti. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 137(1589), 7-11. Retrieved from https://nzmj.org.nz/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Amataiti, T., Parry-Strong, A., Muimuiheata, S., Barthow, C., McKerchar, C., Jones, B., … Coppell, K., Krebs, J. D., & Hall, R. M. (2024). Enablers and challenges of dietary interventions and changes for Pacific peoples living in Aotearoa New Zealand: A scoping review. Proceedings of the 47th New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting. OP6. Retrieved from https://www.nzssd.org.nz/

McKerchar, C., Barthow, C., Huria, T., Jones, B., Coppell, K., Hall, R., Amataiti, T., … Wright-McNaughton, M., & Krebs, J. (2024). Acceptability, enablers, and barriers to dietary change for Māori with nutrition-related conditions in Aotearoa, New Zealand: A scoping review. Proceedings of the 47th New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting. O11. Retrieved from https://www.nzssd.org.nz/

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2023

Journal - Research Article

McKerchar, C., Thompson, L., Bidwell, S., & Hapuku, A. (2023). Normal or diseased? Navigating indeterminate gut behaviour. Journal of Primary Health Care, 15(4), 350-357. doi: 10.1071/HC23090

McKerchar, C., Bidwell, S., Curl, A., Pocock, T., Cowie, M., Miles, H., & Crossin, R. (2023). Promoting health in the digital environment: health policy experts’ responses to on-demand delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand. Health Promotion International, 38, daad091. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daad091

Gage, R., Gurtner, M., Keall, M., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Howden-Chapman, P., Shaw, C., Chambers, T., Pearson, A. L., … Signal, L. (2023). Fun, food and friends: A wearable camera analysis of children's school journeys. Journal of Transport & Health, 30, 101604. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2023.101604

Meredith, C., McKerchar, C., & Lacey, C. (2023). Indigenous approaches to perinatal mental health: A systematic review with critical interpretive synthesis. Archives of Women's Mental Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s00737-023-01310-7

Russell, E., McKerchar, C., Thompson, L., & Berghan, J. (2023). Māori experiences of social housing in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Kōtuitui, 18(4), 352-369. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2023.2180762

Journal - Research Other

Duthie, C., Pocock, T., Curl, A., Clark, E., Norriss, D., Bidwell, S., McKerchar, C., & Crossin, R. (2023). Online on-demand delivery services of food and alcohol: A scoping review of public health impacts. SSM Population Health, 21, 101349. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101349

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Crossin, R., Curl, A., Norriss, D., Martin, G., Pocock, T., & McKerchar, C. (2023). Quantifying access to 'on-demand' alcohol in New Zealand. Drug & Alcohol Review, 42(Suppl. 1), 84. doi: 10.1111/dar.13749

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McKerchar, C., Russell, E., Williams, N., & Hodgson, R. (2023, May). Transport perspectives: Māori, women and youth. Verbal presentation at the Connect with Transport Research Symposium, Christchurch, New Zealand.

2022

Journal - Research Article

Nghiem, N., Teng, A., Cleghorn, C., McKerchar, C., & Wilson, N. (2022). Using household economic survey data to assess food expenditure patterns and trends in a high-income country with notable health inequities. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 21703. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-26301-z

Norriss, D., Crossin, R., Curl, A., Bidwell, S., Clark, E., Pocock, T., Gage, R., & McKerchar, C. (2022). Food outlet access and the healthiness of food available 'on-demand' via meal delivery apps in New Zealand. Nutrients, 14(20), 4228. doi: 10.3390/nu14204228

Gage, R., Chambers, T., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., Pearson, A., Kawachi, I., & Signal, L. (2022). Children's perspectives on the wicked problem of child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand: A wearable camera study. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1559), 95-111. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz

McKerchar, C., Gage, R., Smith, M., Lacey, C., Abel, G., Ni Mhurchu, C., & Signal, L. (2022). Children’s community nutrition environment, food and drink purchases and consumption on journeys between home and school: A wearable camera study. Nutrients, 14, 1995. doi: 10.3390/nu14101995

Miles, H., Apeldoorn, B., McKerchar, C., Curl, A., & Crossin, R. (2022). Describing and characterising on-demand delivery of unhealthy commodities in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46(4), 429-437. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13230

Graham, F., Boland, P., Jones, B., Wallace, S., Taylor, W., Desha, L., Maggo, J., McKerchar, C., & Grainger, R. (2022). Stakeholder perspectives of the sociotechnical requirements of a telehealth wheelchair assessment service in Aotearoa/New Zealand: A qualitative analysis. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 69, 279-289. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12790

Watkins, L., Gage, R., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Aitken, R., & Signal, L. (2022). An objective assessment of children's exposure to brand marketing in New Zealand (Kids'Cam): A cross-sectional study. Lancet Planetary Health, 6, e132-e138. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00290-4

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Fitt, H., Curl, A., Dares, C., Russell, E., McKerchar, C., Kingham, S., & Banwell, K. (2022). Can residential shared mobility enhance transport equity? Proceedings of the 19th International Medical Geography Symposium (IMGS). 254. Retrieved from https://imgs2022.org/

Curl, A., Crossin, R., McKerchar, C., Appeldoorn, B., Miles, H., & Norriss, D. (2022). The landscape of on-demand delivery of unhealthy commodities in New Zealand. Proceedings of the New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS) Conference. (pp. 103). Retrieved from https://www.nzgsconference2022.co.nz/

Kingham, S., Fitt, H., Curl, A., Dares, C., Russell, E., McKerchar, C., … Berghan, J., & Williman, J. (2022). Can transport enhance community wellbeing and reduce social inequity in two contrasting communities in Christchurch. Proceedings of the New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS) Conference. (pp. 57). Retrieved from https://www.nzgsconference2022.co.nz/

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Fitt, H., Curl, A., el Orfi, Y., McKerchar, C., Berghan, J., Banwell, K., Dares, C., Russell, E., Coppens, A., … Faber, K. (2022, November). ACTIVATION: Towards equity in transport and transport research. Verbal presentation at the 4th Transport Research Network (TRN) Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Curl, A., Fitt, H., Dares, C., Russell, E., McKerchar, C., Kingham, S., & Banwell, K. (2022, July). Does shared mobility enhance transport equity among older adults? Verbal presentation at the British Society of Gerontology 51st Annual Conference, [Online].

2021

Journal - Research Article

Hapuku, A., McKerchar, C., & Thompson, L. (2021). Tū manawa ora, tū manawa toa. MAI Journal, 10(2), 169-179. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2021.10.2.10

Hartley, M., Curl, A., Crossin, R., & McKerchar, C. (2021). Access to primary care services using public transport in Ōtautahi Christchurch. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1546), 59-69. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

McKerchar, C., Lacey, C., Abel, G., & Signal, L. (2021). Ensuring the right to food for indigenous children: A case study of stakeholder perspectives on policy options to ensure the rights of tamariki Māori to healthy food. International Journal for Equity in Health, 20, 67. doi: 10.1186/s12939-021-01407-4

Gage, R., Girling-Butcher, M., Joe, E., Smith, M., Ni Mhurchu, C., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., McLean, R., & Signal, L. (2021). The frequency and context of snacking among children: An objective analysis using wearable cameras. Nutrients, 13, 103. doi: 10.3390/nu13010103

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Gage, R., Gurtner, M., Signal, L., Keall, M., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2021). Children's journey to and from school: An analysis of travel modes, environments and eating behaviours using wearable cameras. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity Annual Meeting (ISBNPA XChange): Thinking Independently Together: Let's Dance Around the World. (pp. 50). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://isbnpa2021.venuewest.com

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Toh, E. A., McKerchar, C., & Hider, P. (2021, September). Ethnic disparities in prostate cancer care and outcomes between Māori and non-Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand. Poster session presented at the Achieving Health Equity from Research Conference [Otago Spotlight Series], Wellington, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Curl, A., Watkins, A., McKerchar, C., Exeter, D., & Macmillan, A. (2021, April). Social impacts of transport mode shifts. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Association for Impact Assessment (NZAIA) Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Awarded Doctoral Degree

McKerchar, C. W. (2021). Food availability for tamariki: A rights-based approach (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/12358

2020

Journal - Research Article

McKerchar, C., King, P., Lacey, C., Abel, G., & Signal, L. (2020). Rights-based approaches to improving food availability for tamariki Māori: A narrative literature review and theory-based synthesis. MAI Journal, 9(3), 237-248. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2020.9.3.6

McKerchar, C., Smith, M., Gage, R., Williman, J., Abel, G., Lacey, C., Ni Mhurchu, C., & Signal, L. (2020). Kids in a candy store: An objective analysis of children's interactions with food in convenience stores. Nutrients, 12(7), 2143. doi: 10.3390/nu12072143

Hawley, G., Macmillan, A., Field, A., Hodgson, R., Witten, K., Kearns, R. A., & McKerchar, C. (2020). The normative influence of adults on youth access: Challenges and opportunities in the context of shifts away from car-dependence. Journal of Transport & Health, 16, 100841. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2020.100841

Signal, L. N., Edwards, R., Gage, R., Jackson, N., McKerchar, C., & Sarfati, D. (2020). The state of cancer prevention in Aotearoa New Zealand: Slow progress requires political leadership and investment for health and equity. Journal of Cancer Policy, 23, 100212. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2019.100212

McKerchar, C., Smith, M., Stanley, J., Barr, M., Chambers, T., Abel, G., Lacey, C., Gage, R., … Signal, L. (2020). Food store environment examination: FoodSee: A new method to study the food store environment using wearable cameras. Global Health Promotion, 27(3), 73-81. doi: 10.1177/1757975919859575

Journal - Research Other

O'Toole, C., Gage, R., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., McLean, R., & Signal, L. (2020). Is snacking the new eating norm for New Zealand children? An urgent call for research. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1517), 131-132. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Worters, T., Gage, R., Watkins, L., Aitken, R., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., & Signal, L. (2020). Food marketing and its place in the marketing landscape. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) XChange. (pp. 418). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isbnpa-xchange-initiative

McKerchar, C., Smith, M., Gage, R., Williman, J., Abel, G., Lacey, C., … Signal, L. (2020). Kids in a candy store: An objective analysis of children's interactions with food in convenience stores. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) XChange. (pp. 385). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isbnpa-xchange-initiative

Gage, R., Girling-Butcher, M., Joe, E., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., & Signal, L. (2020). Big snack: Using wearable cameras to explore children's daily snacking behaviours. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) XChange. (pp. 270). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isbnpa-xchange-initiative

Commissioned Report for External Body

Curl, A., Watkins, A., McKerchar, C., Exeter, D., & Macmillan, A. (2020). Social impact assessment of mode shift [NZ Transport Agency research report 666]. Commissioned by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. Wellington, New Zealand: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. 113p. Retrieved from https://www.nzta.govt.nz

2019

Journal - Research Article

Veatupu, L., Puloka, V., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., & Signal, L. (2019). Me'akai in Tonga: Exploring the nature and context of the food Tongan children eat in Ha'apai using wearable cameras. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 16(10), 1681. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16101681

Beavis, B. S., McKerchar, C., Maaka, J., & Mainvil, L. A. (2019). Exploration of Māori household experiences of food insecurity. Nutrition & Dietetics, 76, 344-352. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12477

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Hodgson, R., Hawley, G., Macmillan, A., Connor, J., Moore, A., Field, A., Witten, K., McKerchar, C., & Kearns, R. (2019). Shaping cities for youth: Exploring the transport, place, and wellbeing needs of marginalised youth in New Zealand. Journal of Transport & Health, 14(Suppl.), (pp. S21). doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2019.100737

Veatupu, L. L., Puloka, V., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., & Signal, L. (2019). Exploring the me'akai Tongan children eat in Ha'apai using wearable cameras. Proceedings of the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 12th Annual Conference: Global Health in the Era of Climate Change. (pp. 7). Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/global-health

2017

Journal - Research Article

Signal, L. N., Stanley, J., Smith, M., Barr, M. L., Chambers, T. J., Zhou, J., … McKerchar, C., Pearson, A. L., Hoek, J., Jenkin, G. L. S., & Ni Mhurchu, C. (2017). Children's everyday exposure to food marketing: An objective analysis using wearable cameras. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity, 14, 137. doi: 10.1186/s12966-017-0570-3

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

McKerchar, C., Signal, L., Smith, M., Barr, M., Chambers, T., Stanley, J., & Ni Mhurchu, C. (2017). Confronting the convenience: The role of convenience stores in New Zealand children's food environments. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Annual Meeting. (pp. 150). ISBNPA. Retrieved from https://www.isbnpa.org

McKerchar, C., Smith, M., Stanley, J., Barr, M., Chambers, T., Ni Mhurchu, C., & Signal, L. (2017). Confronting the convenience: The role of convenience stores in children's food environments. Proceedings of the 15th World Congress on Public Health. Retrieved from https://wcph2017.entegyapp.com/Page/28/165/26/1459

McKerchar, C. (2017). Why don't they just grow their own vegetables? The role of poverty in nutrition in Aotearoa New Zealand. Nutrients, 9(4). doi: 10.3390/nu9040348

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Beavis, B. S., McKerchar, C., Maaka, J., & Mainvil, L. A. (2017, August-September). An exploration of Māori cultural values and how they are expressed in Modern Māori whānau in relation to food. Verbal presentation at the Dietitians NZ National Professional Development Meeting, Wellington, New Zealand.

2016

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Thomson, E., Williman, J., McKerchar, C., & Hider, P. (2016, September). Price discounts on core and non-core foods in two New Zealand supermarkets. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine (NZCPHM) Annual Scientific Meeting and Workshop, Christchurch, New Zealand.

2015

Journal - Research Article

McKerchar, C., Bowers, S., Heta, C., Signal, L., & Matoe, L. (2015). Enhancing Māori food security using traditional kai. Global Health Promotion, 22(3), 15-24. doi: 10.1177/1757975914543573

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McKerchar, C., Signal, L. N., Abel, G. M., & Lacey, C. J. (2015, May). Healthy food availability for Māori children: A rights based approach. Verbal presentation at the Hui Poutama: Māori Research Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2014

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McKerchar, C. (2014, February). Diet-related health outcomes for Māori. Verbal presentation at the Big Food Symposium: Food Policy, Politics & Population Health, Wellington, New Zealand.

2013

Journal - Research Article

Signal, L. N., Walton, M. D., Ni Mhurchu, C., Maddison, R., Bowers, S. G., Carter, K. N., … Lanumata, T. S., McKerchar, C. W., O'Dea, D., & Pearce, J. (2013). Tackling 'wicked' health promotion problems: A New Zealand case study. Health Promotion International, 28(1), 84-94. doi: 10.1093/heapro/das006

2009

Journal - Research Article

Ni Mhurchu, C., Blakely, T., Funaki-Tahifote, M., McKerchar, C., Wilton, J., Chua, S., & Jiang, Y. (2009). Inclusion of indigenous and ethnic minority populations in intervention trials: Challenges and strategies in a New Zealand supermarket study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 63(10), 850-855. doi: 10.1136/jech.2008.081109