Dr. Sarah-Kay Coulter is an Indigenous researcher whose work explores the relationships between belonging, citizenship, history, education, and place. Her research is grounded in Māori perspectives and examines how relationships to whenua, whakapapa, and community shape educational experiences, identity formation, governance, and intergenerational wellbeing.

Her scholarship weaves Indigenous histories, history education, Tiriti o Waitangi, educational governance, citizenship, climate adaptation, and mātauranga Māori. Through community-engaged and interdisciplinary approaches, she investigates how Indigenous knowledge systems can contribute to more equitable, sustainable, and resilient futures.

Dr. Coulter's work is characterised by strong partnerships with iwi, hapū, schools, government agencies, and community organisations, with a focus on generating research that delivers both scholarly contributions and practical benefits for communities.

Research Interests

• Indigenous histories and historical consciousness
• Māori and Indigenous education
• Citizenship, belonging, and identity
• Tiriti o Waitangi and educational governance
• Whenua, place, and Indigenous relationships to land
• Climate adaptation and environmental stewardship
• Mātauranga Māori and knowledge transmission
• Community-led development and research
• Indigenous futures and intergenerational wellbeing
  
  Sarah-Kay has successfully secured $500'000 for a diverse portfolio of projects spanning Indigenous development, environmental restoration, heritage and cultural initiatives, educational innovation, disaster resilience, and community wellbeing. Her work demonstrates a strong track record of translating research and community aspirations into funded initiatives that create lasting social, cultural, educational, and environmental outcomes.
  
  Reach out if you have any interesting projects / ideas! sarah-kay.coulter@waikato.ac.nz