Contact Details
- Phone
- +64 4 832 3177
- christina.mckerchar@otago.ac.nz
University Links
- Position
- Associate Professor in Māori Health and Associate Dean (Māori), Faculty of Medicine (Christchurch)
- Department
- Department of Public Health (Christchurch)
- Qualifications
- BCApSc, MSc, PhD
- Research summary
- Nutrition and Maori Health
Research
Christina is of Nagti Kahungunu, Tuhoe and Ngati Porou descent. She trained as a nutritionist, and worked for a number of years, for Te Hotu Manawa Maori a national Maori Health provider. She has also worked for Agencies for Nutrition Action, a coalition group of non-government organisations who have an interest in nutrition.
Christina is also completing a PhD and her topic is: Food availability for Māori children: A rights based approach. Is the right to healthy food realised for Māori children in their lived environments? If not, what policy options would impact on this right being realised?
The study is a mixed-method inquiry informed by Kaupapa Māori research principles.
Her research interests include: public health nutrition, food security and Maori health.
Publications
Peniamina, R. L., Gray, A. R., Signal, L., Iosua, E., Cleghorn, C., Teng, A., McKerchar, C., & McNoe, B. M. (2026). Public support for policies to create a healthier food environment in Aotearoa New Zealand: Findings from a national survey. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 139(1641), 26-36. doi: 10.26635/6965.7536 Journal - Research Article
Pearson, A., Cunningham, E., Kane, J., Troughton, R. W., Pearson, J. F., Lewis, L. K., Woodcock, E., Pemberton, C., McKerchar, C., & Patu, M. (2026). Hauora Manawa mō ngā Kaumātua me ngā Whānau: A co-designed community-based cohort study of cardiovascular health among older Māori in Canterbury, New Zealand: A study protocol. BMJ Open, 16(8), e120784. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-120784 Journal - Research Other
Fitt, H., Curl, A., Stevenson, J., Dares, C., McKerchar, C., Kingham, S., & Williman, J. (2026). Access to food, healthcare, and social connection for residents of social housing in Ōtautahi Christchurch [Research report 01/2026/v2]. (pp. 1-49). Dunedin, New Zealand: Transport, Society & Environment Group, University of Otago. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10523/49174 Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Sims, E., McKerchar, C., Curl, A., Bidwell, S., Martin, G., Russell, E., & Crossin, R. (2026). “It's such a luxury, we may as well get something we really want”: A qualitative exploration of public perceptions of health and public health implications of on-demand delivery. Social Science & Medicine, 405, 119545. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119545 Journal - Research Article
Clark, M. t. R., Jordan, J., Summers, N., Clarke, R., & McKerchar, C. (2026). Enacting policy: Mapping Kaupapa Māori aspirations onto the New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 139(1635), 68-80. doi: 10.26635/6965.7275 Journal - Research Article
2026
Journal - Research Article
Peniamina, R. L., Gray, A. R., Signal, L., Iosua, E., Cleghorn, C., Teng, A., McKerchar, C., & McNoe, B. M. (2026). Public support for policies to create a healthier food environment in Aotearoa New Zealand: Findings from a national survey. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 139(1641), 26-36. doi: 10.26635/6965.7536
Sims, E., McKerchar, C., Curl, A., Bidwell, S., Martin, G., Russell, E., & Crossin, R. (2026). “It's such a luxury, we may as well get something we really want”: A qualitative exploration of public perceptions of health and public health implications of on-demand delivery. Social Science & Medicine, 405, 119545. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119545
Clark, M. t. R., Jordan, J., Summers, N., Clarke, R., & McKerchar, C. (2026). Enacting policy: Mapping Kaupapa Māori aspirations onto the New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 139(1635), 68-80. doi: 10.26635/6965.7275
Cleghorn, C., McKerchar, C., Kidd, B., & Ni Mhurchu, C. (2026). Modelled health impacts of three stakeholder-selected policies to support healthy and environmentally sustainable population diets in New Zealand. Food Policy, 140, 103049. doi: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2026.103049
Worters, T., McKerchar, C., Gage, R., Reidy, J., & Signal, L. (2026). Piecing together piecemeal regulation: Stakeholder insights into joint statutory regulation to reduce children's unhealthy commodity marketing exposure in Aotearoa New Zealand. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 37(2), e70153. doi: 10.1002/hpja.70153
Journal - Research Other
Pearson, A., Cunningham, E., Kane, J., Troughton, R. W., Pearson, J. F., Lewis, L. K., Woodcock, E., Pemberton, C., McKerchar, C., & Patu, M. (2026). Hauora Manawa mō ngā Kaumātua me ngā Whānau: A co-designed community-based cohort study of cardiovascular health among older Māori in Canterbury, New Zealand: A study protocol. BMJ Open, 16(8), e120784. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-120784
Cleghorn, C., Kidd, B., Morris, T., & McKerchar, C. (2026). Food policies to support healthy and environmentally sustainable diets. The Briefing, (8 April). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/food-policies-support-healthy-and-environmentally-sustainable-diets
Frost, H., Te Morenga, L., Mackay, S., McKerchar, C., Cole, E., & Egli, V. (2026). Alcohol marketing exposure to children in New Zealand: A systematic narrative review. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 56, e70007. doi: 10.1002/snz2.70007
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Fitt, H., Curl, A., Stevenson, J., Dares, C., McKerchar, C., Kingham, S., & Williman, J. (2026). Access to food, healthcare, and social connection for residents of social housing in Ōtautahi Christchurch [Research report 01/2026/v2]. (pp. 1-49). Dunedin, New Zealand: Transport, Society & Environment Group, University of Otago. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10523/49174
2025
Journal - Research Article
Hapuku, A., McKerchar, C., Bidwell, S., & Thompson, L. (2025). Māori navigating gut symptoms: “I mean, who gets cramp that often in their puku?” MAI Journal, 14(2), 152-163. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2025.14.2.2
Meredith, C., Haitana, T., McKerchar, C., & Pitama, S. (2025). “They were my anchors” Māori with perinatal mental illness identify culturally safe and clinically excellent health care. International Journal for Equity in Health, 24, 226. doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02592-2
Kidd, B., Enright, H., McKerchar, C., & Cleghorn, C. (2025). Developing policy to support sustainable diets in Aotearoa New Zealand with stakeholders. Food Frontiers. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/fft2.70096
Williams, N., Berghan, J., Curl, A., & McKerchar, C. (2025). Applying a relational lens to the work travel experiences of diverse women. Journal of Transport Geography, 128, 104347. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2025.104347
Harris, C., Bidwell, S., Hudson, B., Patu, M., McKerchar, C., & Al-Busaidi, I. S. (2025). Te hāpai i te mana wāhine, te takahi i te mana wāhine: Māori women's experiences of empowerment and disempowerment in sexual and reproductive healthcare. Journal of Primary Health Care, 17(2), 154-160. doi: 10.1071/hc25037
Amataiti, T. A., Parry-Strong, A., Muimuiheata, S., Wright-McNaughton, M., Barthow, C., McKerchar, C., Jones, B., Coppell, K. J., Krebs, J. D., & Hall, R. M. (2025). Enablers and challenges of dietary interventions and change for Pacific Peoples living in Aotearoa, New Zealand: A scoping review. Nutrition Reviews, 83(12), 2407-2429. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaf081
Worters, T., McKerchar, C., Watkins, L., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2025). Public health and harmful advertising: The nature and extent of children's real-time exposure to unhealthy commodity marketing. Social Science & Medicine, 375, 118055. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118055
Harris, C., Bidwell, S., Hudson, B., Patu, M., McKerchar, C., & Al-Busaidi, I. S. (2025). He mana tō te mātauranga - Knowledge is power: A qualitative study of sexual and reproductive healthcare experiences of wāhine Māori. Journal of Primary Health Care, 17(2), 146-153. doi: 10.1071/HC24103
Journal - Research Other
Macmillan, A., Wright, S., Cleghorn, C., McKerchar, C., & Mulder, I. (2025). SDG2 Zero Hunger and the need to re-think food production in Aotearoa: Viewpoint. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2025.2486053
Frost, H., Te Morenga, L., Mackay, S., McKerchar, C., & Egli, V. (2025). Impact of unhealthy food/drink marketing exposure to children in New Zealand: A systematic narrative review. Health Promotion International, 40, daaf021. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daaf021
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Barthow, C., McKerchar, C., Jones, B., McKinlay, E., & Coppell, K. (2025). Using a citizen's jury to inform type 2 diabetes prevention in an ethnically diverse urban community in Aotearoa. Proceedings of the Australasian Diabetes Congress. 300. Retrieved from https://diabetescongress.com.au/
Barthow, C., Coppell, K., McKerchar, C., Jones, B., & McKinlay, E. (2025). Using a citizen's jury to inform diabetes prevention in an ethnically diverse low-decile urban community in Aotearoa. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 138(1619), (pp. 79). Retrieved from https://nzmj.org.nz/
Meredith, C., McKerchar, C., Haitana, T., & Pitama, S. (2025). Whāia te iti kahurangi: Seeking perinatal mental health equity. Māori offer solutions for the health system. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 61 (Suppl. 1), (pp. 29). doi: 10.1111/jpc.70008
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Fitt, H., Curl, A., Stevenson, J., Dares, C., McKerchar, C., Kingham, S., Williman, J., & El Orfi, Y. (2025). The Getting Around 2 Survey 2024: Transport & wellbeing [Infographic]. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10523/49173
2024
Chapter in Book - Research
Curl, A., Russell, E., McKerchar, C., & Berghan, J. (2024). Transport and health equity: Considering the needs of diverse populations. In J. Cidell (Ed.), A research agenda for transport equity and mobility justice. (pp. 87-104). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9781802201888.00014
Journal - Research Article
Meredith, C., Haitana, T., McKerchar, C., & Pitama, S. (2024). “Thank you for listening” Kaupapa Māori methodology as a facilitator of culturally safe research with Māori mothers experiencing perinatal mental illness. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23. doi: 10.1177/16094069241307584
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/
McKerchar, C., Barthow, C., Huria, T., Jones, B., Coppell, K. J., Hall, R., Amataiti, T., Parry-Strong, A., Muimuiheata, S., Wright-McNaughton, M., & Krebs, J. (2024). Enablers and barriers to dietary change for Māori with nutrition-related conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand: A scoping review. Public Health Nutrition, 27, e245. doi: 10.1017/s136898002400212x
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, 36, 200362. doi: 10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200362
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
Signal, L., Worters, T., & McKerchar, C. (2024). Marketing harm to children: Children’s exposure to unhealthy commodity marketing using body cameras. European Journal of Public Health, 34(Suppl. 3), (pp. ckae144.163). doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckae144.163
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
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.
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.
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.
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, 26, 275-293. 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
Kingham, S., Curl, A., Fitt, H., Dares, C., Russell, E., Coppens, A., McKerchar, C., … Berghan, J., & Williman, J. (2023). The impact of shared mobility on community wellbeing in two contrasting communities in Christchurch. Proceedings of the State of Australasian Cities (SOAC) Conference. (pp. 169). Retrieved from https://apo.org.au
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., Kidd, B., & Enright, H. (2023, July). Feeding the mauri. Panel discussion at the Climate Health and Sustainable Healthcare (CHSH) in Aotearoa Conference, [Hybrid].
McKerchar, C. (2023, May). “He waka eke noa?”: Reflections on transport and equity. 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