This thesis investigates the clinical management of intersexuality in New Zealand and support for intersex New Zealanders and their families. My research is informed by the narratives of New Zealanders with intersex conditions, parents of children with intersex conditions, registered nurses, specialist clinicians, representatives from community/support organisations and a former member of parliament. This thesis also investigates medical teaching in New Zealand: not only about intersex anatomy but two key issues which shape society – gender and sexuality. Feminist, postmodern and queer theorising about these issues also inform this thesis in relation to traditional assumptions about gender and sexuality, and medical recommendations for sex assignment and rearing. Historical accounts of societal attitudes and medical thinking towards sex classification, sexuality and intersexuality also inform this thesis.
Despite New Zealand's reputation as an egalitarian democracy, my findings show that judgemental attitudes towards difference still exist in parts of New Zealand society. This is discussed with reference to poststructuralist and oral history theorising about societal power structures and research on sensitive topics. Undertaking research in New Zealand, on what can be regarded as a sensitive topic, can be difficult in terms of maintaining confidentiality in a small population.
The implications of practising medicine in New Zealand are highlighted as, due to its smaller population, the number of intersex individuals coming to clinicians' attention is small compared to some other countries. From my findings, it appears that specialist clinicians and medical schools in New Zealand rely on medical models from other countries with larger populations, which have a greater number of babies born with intersex conditions and consequently more specialised medical practice and education. The narratives of intersex people and their parents also highlight the implications of living in a smaller population. This is not only with regard to medical experiences (such as hospitals which often have little experience of intersex issues), but also societal prejudices and judgements towards lesser known variations of sexual anatomy
