Natasha Tassell-Matamua

I am a lecturer within the School of Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. I teach courses in cultural psychology, and emphasise the importance of cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence in the practice, training, and professional development of psychologists.

My research expertise includes: Near Death Experiences [NDEs], Exceptional Human Experiences [EHEs], Other Extraordinary Phenomena, Cultural Psychology, Indigenous Ethics

I conducted the first large-scale study of NDEs in Aotearoa New Zealand with a colleague in 2010. Since then, I have continued to build upon this foundational research, conducting additional studies in NDEs and supervising post-graduate students to complete Honours, Masters, and Doctoral thesis. I have expanded my research interests and endeavours to include EHEs, and other extraordinary phenomena, including spiritually-transformative experiences [STEs].

RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS

Journal Articles
Tassell-Matamua, NA. (2013). Phenomenology of near-death experiences: An analysis of a Māori case study. Journal of Near-Death Studies. 32(2), 107-117

Tassell-Matamua, NA. (2013). Near-death experiences and the psychology of death. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying. 68(3), 259-277

Tassell-Matamua, NA. (2013). Psychology and near-death experiences: Challenges to and opportunities for ongoing debates about consciousness. Journal of Consciousness Studies: controversies in science and the humanities. 20(11-12), 150-172

Tassell, N. (2012). Ich war mal kurz weg (Near-death experiences across cultures). Kulturaustausch: Zeitschrift für internationale perspektiven. Ausgabe IV, 30-30

Tassell, NA., & Lock, AJ. (2012). Cultural considerations for professional psychology ethics: Te tirohanga ahurea hei whakatakato tika, whakapakari te aro ki te tangata: Te ahua ki Aotearoa. Ethics and Social Welfare. 6(1 (March 2012), 56-73

Conference Presentations
Tassell-Matamua, NA. (2014, June). Of love and light: Using reports of extraordinary phenomena to assist the bereaved. Presented at The 10th International Conference on Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society (ICGB) 2014: EAST meets WEST: Expanding Frontiers and Diversity. Hong Kong.

Tassell-Matamua, NA. (2014, June). "I'm not afraid to die". The loss of death anxiety after a Near-Death Experience (NDE). Presented at The 10th International Conference on Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society (ICGB) 2014: EAST meets WEST: Expanding Frontiers and Diversity. Hong Kong.

Tassell-Matamua, N. (2012). Defining death: The challenge posed by near-death experiences (NDEs). In Making Sense of Dying and Death 9th Global Conference: Programme and Abstracts(pp. Unpaginated). , Making Sense of Dying and Death 9th Global Conference: Probing the Boundaries Austria: Inter-Disciplinary Net

Tassell, N. (2012, November). Defining death: The challenge posed by near-death experiences (NDEs). Presented at Making Sense of Dying and Death 9th Global Conference: Probing the Boundaries. Salzburg, Austria.

Tassell, NA. (2012). Near-Death Experiences and psychology. In Death Down Under 2012 Conference Programme and Abstracts(pp. Unpaginated). , Death Down Under 2012 Conference New Zealand: University of Otago

Tassell, NA. (2012, June). Near-Death Experiences and psychology. Presented at Death Down Under 2012 Conference. Otago Museum, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Tassell, NA. (2012, June). Near-Death Experiences and psychology. Presented at Death Down Under 2012 Conference. Dunedin, New Zealand.

Tassell, N., & Murray, M. (2012). Near death experiences: A New Zealand-based study. In Death Down Under 2012 Conference Programme, Death Down Under 2012 Conference New Zealand: University of Otago

Tassell, NA., & Murray, M. (2012, June). Near Death Experiences: A New Zealand-based study. Presented at Death Down Under 2012 Conference. Otago Museum, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Tassell, NA. (2012, April). What can near-death experiences contribute to psychology?. Presented at New Zealand Psychological Society and New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists Joint Conference: Tūtahitanga: Standing together as one. Wellington, New Zealand.

Tassell, N., & Murray, M. (2010, November). Near-death experiences: A New Zealand-based study. Presented at Death Studies in Aotearoa/New Zealand - A Symposium. Hamilton, New Zealand.

Book Chapters
Tassell, NA., Herbert, AML., Evans, IM., & Young, PTWA. (2012). Principles of indigenous ethics and psychological interventions. In MM. Leach, MJ. Stevens, G. Lindsay, A. Ferrero, & Y. Korkut (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of International Psychological Ethics. (pp. 176 - 190). United States: Oxford University Press

Murray, M., & Tassell, N. (2011). Near-death In New Zealand: Interview about NZ near death experience research. In J. Davy, & J. Gilberd (Eds.) Spooked: Exploring the paranormal in New Zealand. (pp. 57 - 61). New Zealand: Random House New Zealand

Other Media
Moir, J., Steadman, K., & Tassell-Matamua, NA. (2014). Study probes near-death experiences. The Dominion Post

Tassell, NA. (2012). Life after death. (pp. 33 - 33). New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Tassell, NA., & Murray, M. (2010). Researchers dying to discuss the afterlife. (pp. A3 - A3). The Dominion Post

Tassell, N., & Murray, M. (2010). Life after death. Interview with the magazine North and South.. (pp. 54 - 65).

Tassell, N., & Murray, M. (2010, October). Near-death experiences: Introduction to a New Zealand-Based Study. An oral presentation provided to the Palmerston North Lunch Club, as a result of an invitation.. In Palmerston North Lunch Club. Presented at Cloverlea Tavern, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Tassell, NA.Life after death. A media interview shown on TV3 60 Minutes program..