College of Humanities and Social Sciences staff

Contact details +6469517967

Dr Nicole Lindsay

Senior Lecturer

School of Psychology

My research is primarily focused on spirituality, death, near-death experiences, exceptional human experiences, and consciousness.  I also have an interest in environmental or ecopsychology.  Both research streams are underpinned by the concept of nonduality, or the idea that the human mind and the natural world cannot be separated.  I conduct quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method research projects, but my experience and interest is primarily qualitative.

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Spirituality, consciousness, exceptional human experiences, near-death experiences, ecopsychology.

Thematics

21st Century Citizenship, Resource Development and Management, Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Psychology (170100): Psychology And Cognitive Sciences (170000): Psychology not elsewhere classified (170199): Psychology of Religion (170111): Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance (170112)

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Principal Investigator / First Named Investigator / Science Leader 1 0
Project Leader 2 2

Current Projects

Project Title: Ka tangi te rakau: Connecting with plants using biodata sonification and rongo ā wairua

This project combines rongo ā wairua (intuitive knowing) and Western technology to reveal the secret language of plants. Placing electrodes on the surface of leaves, real-time biological data is converted into musical notes, creating a plant waiata which responds to internal and external stimuli, like touch, light and sound. The initiative will engage with at least three low socio-economic kura reo Māori schools in remote Northland. Delivered in te reo Māori, students will monitor and interpret plant signals and sounds through the lens of te ao Māori, enhancing rongo ā wairua skills, environmental connectedness and enriching experiences of science and technology.
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Date Range: 2024 - 2024

Funding Bodies: MBIE: Unlocking Curious Minds; Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Project Team:

Research Outputs

Journal

Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L., Gibson, R., Ladyman, C., & Tassell-Matamua, N. (2023). Near-Death Experiences and Sleep Disturbance: An Exploratory Study Using Wrist Actigraphy. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 211(11), 856-861
[Journal article]Authored by: Gibson, R., Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Apiti, A., Tassell-Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., Dell, K., Pomare, P., Erueti, B., . . . Te Rangi, M. (2023). Indigenous Maori of Aotearoa (New Zealand): Environmental Identity, Rather Than Maori Identity Per Se, Has Greatest Influence on Environmental Distress. Ecopsychology. 15(2), 119-129
[Journal article]Authored by: Erueti, B., Lindsay, N., Pomare, P., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Pomare, P., Tassell-Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., Masters-Awatere, B., Dell, K., Erueti, B., . . . Te Rangi, M. (2023). Te Mauri o te Kauri me te Ngahere: Indigenous Knowledge, te Taiao (the Environment) and Wellbeing. Knowledge Cultures. 11(1), 55-83
[Journal article]Authored by: Erueti, B., Lindsay, N., Pomare, P., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Erueti, B., Tassell-Matamua, N., Pomare, P., Masters-Awatere, B., Dell, K., Rangi, MT., . . . Lindsay, N. (2023). ‘Pūrākau o te Ngahere’: Indigenous Māori Interpretations, Expressions and Connection to Taonga Species and Biosecurity Issues. Knowledge Cultures. 11(1), 34-54
[Journal article]Authored by: Erueti, B., Lindsay, N., Pomare, P., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Lindsay, N., Grant, A., Bowmast, N., Benson, H., & Wegner, S. (2023). Pro-Environmental Behaviour in Relation to Kauri Dieback: When Place Attachment Is Not Enough.. Society and Natural Resources. 36(2), 109-127 Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08941920.2022.2135153
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N.
O’Sullivan, L., & Lindsay, N. (2023). The relationship between spiritual intelligence, resilience, and well-being in an Aotearoa New Zealand sample. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health. 25(4), 277-297
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., O'Sullivan, L.
Tassell-Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., & Winterbottom, J. (2022). Why Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) Matter to Psychology: An Exploration of Aotearoa New Zealand Psychologists' Knowledge of NDEs and Implications for Professional Practice. Journal of Near-Death Studies. 40(3), 177-199 Retrieved from https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2293046/
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Lindsay, N., Haami, D., Tassell-Matamua, N., Pomare, P., Valentine, H., Pahina, J., . . . Pidduck, P. (2022). The spiritual experiences of contemporary Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health. 24(1), 74-94
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Pahina, J., Pomare, P., Tassell-Matamua, N., Valentine, H.
Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N., Haami, D., Ware, F., Valentine, H., & Pomare, P. (2021). Construction of a ‘Beliefs about Exceptional Experiences Scale’ (BEES): Implications of preliminary findings in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal for the Study of Spirituality. 11(2), 145-158
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Pomare, P., Tassell-Matamua, N., Valentine, H.
Tassell-Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., Bennett, A., & Masters-Awatere, B. (2021). Māori Cultural Identity Linked to Greater Regard for Nature: Attitudes and (Less So) Behavior. Ecopsychology. 13(1), 9-18
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Lindsay, N., & Tassell-Matamua, N. (2020). Subjective Sleep Quality After a Near-Death Experience. Journal of Near-Death Studies. 38(2), 65-86 Retrieved from https://www.iands.org/research/publications/journal-of-near-death-studies/1470-jnds38.html
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Tassell-Matamua, N., & Lindsay, N. (2020). Impartiality as an obligation in nde research response to ‘near-death experiences: To the edge of the universe’. Journal of Consciousness Studies. 27(11-12), 237-243
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Lindsay, NM., & Tassell-Matamua, NA. (2020). Near-Death Experiences and Afterlife Belief: A Mixed-Method Analysis. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Tassell-Matamua, NA., & Lindsay, N. (2017). Undergraduate psychology students' knowledge and attitudes about near-death experiences: Does education about NDEs make a difference?. Journal of Near-Death Studies. 36(1), 27-52 Retrieved from http://iands.org/
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Tassell-Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., Bennett, S., Valentine, H., & Pahina, J. (2017). Does Learning About Near-Death Experiences Promote Psycho-Spiritual Benefits in Those Who Have Not Had a Near-Death Experience?. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health. 19(2), 95-115
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S., Lindsay, N., Pahina, J., Tassell-Matamua, N., Valentine, H.
Tassell-Matamua, NA., & Lindsay, N. (2016). “I’m not afraid to die”: the loss of the fear of death after a near-death experience. Mortality. 21(1), 71-87
[Journal article]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.

Book

Tassell-Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., Moriarty, TR., & Haami, D. (2021). INDIGENOUS MĀORI NOTIONS OF SPIRIT AND SPIRITUALITY AS ENABLERS OF RESILIENCE AND FLOURISHING IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND. In The Routledge International Handbook of Indigenous Resilience. (pp. 81 - 95).
[Chapter]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Moriarty, T., Tassell-Matamua, N.

Thesis

O'Sullivan, L. (2021). Spiritual intelligence, resilience, and well-being among Aotearoa New Zealand university students. (Master's Thesis)
[Masters Thesis]Authored by: O'Sullivan, L.Edited by: Lindsay, N.

Other

Tassell-Matamua, N., Matamua, N., Apiti, A., & Lindsay, N. (2021). He taonga kē ngā kaumatua – He taonga kē te Ngahere Team Story Map. ArcGIS Online
[Other]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.Contributed to by: Lindsay, N.
Keats-Farr, L., Tassell-Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., Matamua, N., & Baikalova, N. (2021). Rangatahi Māori – He taonga kē te ngahere team Story Map. ArcGIS Online
[Other]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.Contributed to by: Lindsay, N.
Maikuku, V., Masters-Awatere, B., Lindsay, N., & Tassell-Matamua, N. (2021). Ko au te ngahere – He taonga kē te ngahere team Story Map. ArcGIS Online
[Other]Authored by: Lindsay, N., Tassell-Matamua, N.Contributed to by: Lindsay, N.
Tassell-Matamua, N., Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., Dell, K., Erueti, B., Pomare, P., . . . Te Rangi, M. (2021, July). He taonga kē te ngahere. Kaumātua perspective of te taiao.. In Te Kōkiri Kaumātua rōpū. Presented at Te Kōkiri Community Centre, Levin.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Erueti, B., Lindsay, N., Pomare, P., Tassell-Matamua, N.
Tassell-Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., Dell, K., Erueti, B., Pomare, P., Masters-Awatere, B., . . . Te Rangi, M. (2021, June). He taonga kē te ngahere. The forest is an extraordinary treasure. In Centre for Science in Society staff and students.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Erueti, B., Lindsay, N., Pomare, P., Tassell-Matamua, N.

Teaching and Supervision

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 4 0
Co-supervisor 3 0

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Rochelle Cooper - Doctor of Philosophy
    Medical Intuition
  • Doreen Joshi - Doctor of Philosophy
    The world and the 'self' after a transformative psychedelic experience
  • Laura O'Sullivan - Doctor of Philosophy
    Standing together at the veil: end-of-life experiences in Aotearoa and their impact on the grief of bereaved loved ones
  • Tom Hadley - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    A mixed-methods investigation into the positive effects of ecological restoration on mental wellbeing.

Co-supervisor of:

  • Kamla Waila - Doctor of Philosophy
    An investigation into the relationship betwen mindfulness, solitude and wellbeing among young adults in New Zealand
  • Abigail Cashell - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Exploring taonga pūoro as rongoā wairua.
  • Deanna Haami - Doctor of Philosophy
    Te Pū: Tracing the origins of intergenerational trauma in whānau and whakapapa to heal the soul wound