Richard K. Walter is a New Zealand archaeologist who specializes in the archaeology of the tropical Pacific and New Zealand. His early work focused on East Polynesian colonization and his PhD tested new models for the colonization of East Polynesia based on field research he carried out in the Cook Islands. He is best known for his work on the archaeology of Wairau Bar. He did his BA and PhD in anthropology at the University of Auckland before moving to Otago University, where he is currently a professor. He is also an honorary professor at the University of Queensland