Gifted Learners

Tukuna kia rere

Support for gifted education in Aotearoa New Zealand

E aku nui, e aku rahi. Nau mai haere mai ki tēnei whārangi hei whāngai i te hirikapo.

He karakia

Kia tau iho ngā manaakitanga kia mahi i ngā mahi i runga i te ngākau hihiko
Kia tutuki ngā hiahia o tēnā o tēnā
Whakaahurutia te iho wairua o te ākonga
Kia tina! TINA!
Hui ē! TĀIKI Ē!

Kia maumahara ki tōu mana āhua ake - kei ia tamaiti tōna ake āhua, tōna ake mauri, tōna ake mana. Whakarongo mai nei icon

Extra support for gifted learners

A package of support for gifted education was announced in 2020.

The package recognises that gifted learners and notions of giftedness are diverse, both within and across cultures.

The package of support includes:

  • Support for the New Zealand Centre for Gifted Education to deliver and grow MindPlus programmes (in-person, online and at your school) so gifted learners can access learning with like-minded peers. Applications are always open – see website www.nzcge.nz for more information and applications.

  • Awards for gifted learners in early learning up to school leaving age, in both Māori and English-medium settings, can apply for these awards to support their learning or pursue their passion. Parents or teachers can also apply on behalf of learners. The next award round applications are open from Friday 1 September to Monday 9 October. For more information about the awards please visit Awards for Gifted Learners.

  • Awards for Teachers of Gifted Learners are for teachers currently working in early learning, primary or secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand, to support them in enhancing their skills so they can better support gifted learners. This year applications are open from Monday 2 October to Sunday 5 November. Further information on the awards can be found on the Awards for Teachers of Gifted Learners page.

  • Applications for study awards to complete the Massey University Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching: Gifted are now open for 2024. To learn more about the study award and to apply, please visit Gifted Study Award.. Applications close 12 September 2023.

  • A programme of events, experiences and opportunities. Details of the new programme can be found at Events and opportunities for gifted learners.

  • Expansion of online modules. Improved access to online modules which enable gifted learners to learn alongside like-minded peers. Contact admin@nzcge.co.nz to apply.

  • Additional guidance for teachers and kaiako to help them recognise and support gifted learners. Follow the link above to the Guide to identification and provision or access from the further support tab.

Define and Identify

Develop concepts, characteristics and identification procedures that reflect the character, diversity and priorities of your kura, school or early childhood setting.

Design and Implement

Promote a holistic, inclusive and responsive learning environment through curriculum, differentiation, organisational frameworks and self-review.

Responsive Practice

Respond to the strengths, needs and interests of gifted and talented learners through personalised approaches to teaching and learning.

Key components of effective support for gifted learners

As schools design, develop, and review how they provide for gifted learners, they need to address the five key components described in Gifted and Talented Students: Meeting Their Needs in New Zealand Schools (2012):

  1. the concepts of giftedness
  2. the characteristics of gifted learners
  3. how to identify gifted learners
  4. provision for these learners
  5. ongoing self-review.

This resource addresses each of the five components individually, while emphasising the relationships between them. It outlines the practical requirements for schools, characteristics of gifted learners, and provides useful background information about relevant practices, theories and research.

The 5 rings used in the handbook (Concept, Characteristics, Identification, Programmes and Self review) have been built upon and modified in the website. The 5 rings have been renamed Concepts, Characteristics, Identification, Design and Implement and Responsive Practice and are consolidated to three tabs on the web site: ‘Define and Identify’, ‘Design and Implement’ and ‘Responsive Practice’..

Contact us: gifted@tki.org.nz