Abstract: Most of what is currently known about near-death experiences (NDEs) has come from published case studies and larger scale research projects conducted in Western Anglo-European cultures. This article presents findings from the first large-scale retrospective, quantitative study of NDEs conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand over a two-year period, between August 2010 and December 2012. We investigated the occurrence and phenomenology of NDEs in 220 participants. Results revealed the characteristics and occurrence of NDEs in this sample were similar to those reported in other Western samples. Results of a multivariate regression analysis showed belief in the survival of a soul after physical death and being of Māori ethnicity contributed a significant amount of unique variance to NDE Scale scores in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our study represents an important contribution to understanding NDEs in Aotearoa New Zealand, although more research is required to further elucidate and advance the findings.

Article describing research to explore the near-death experiences (NDEs) of Iranian Shiite Muslim experiencers. It outlines the methods and results of the study and explains how the experiences compare to those of Western experiencers.

Editorial statement introducing the contents of the journal issue and providing other relevant notes.

Review of a book titled "Brain Wars: The Scientific Battle Over the Existence of the Mind and the Proof That Will Change the Way We Live Our Lives" written by neuroscientist Mario Beauregard.

Review of a book titled "The Immortal Mind: Science and the Continuity of Consciousness Beyond the Brain" written by philosopher Ervin Laszlo and Anthony Peak.

Review of a book titled "The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences: How Understanding NDEs Can Help Us Live More Fully" describing collected case studies and other research collected by Penny Sartori.