Dr Marama McDonald PhD

Researcher

Dr Marama McDonald PhD is of

Ngati Kauwhata and Rangitane descent and diligently works as a researcher in the area of Māori health and wellbeing.

She is passionate about developments in Māori health that focus on the 'whānau' as the source for positive change and growth.

She contributes to Māori health and wellbeing at both a research/policy level but also at the community/grassroots level through her involvement in the local kura kaupapa and wharekura.

Marama's faith in an integrative, holistic approach to healthcare is grounded partly in her academic research but also largely from her experience within the health system.

Marama and her whānau accessed holistic integrative health services alongside conventional medicine during her son's battle with osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

As a result, she is a fierce proponent of this approach to treating and preventing illness for both individuals and whānau. 

Marama's current research interests are in kaupapa Māori research, ageing, mental health and holistic models of health.