Multicultural perspectives
New Zealand is a multicultural society with a wide range of ethnic groups. The concept of giftedness and talent that belongs to a particular cultural group is shaped by its beliefs, values, attitudes, and customs. The concept varies from culture to culture. It also varies over time.
It is important that each school incorporates relevant cultural values into its concept of giftedness and talent. These values will also influence procedures used for identifying students from different cultural groups and for providing relevant programmes. Culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged students are grossly under-represented in programmes for the gifted and talented. Schools must make a special effort to identify talented students from these groups.
Bevan-Brown (1996) argues that concepts of special abilities for Māori should be viewed as holistic in nature, reflecting Māori values, customs, and beliefs. In her research, she found that Māori value a wide range of abilities and qualities, including spiritual, cognitive, affective, aesthetic, linguistic, artistic, musical, psychomotor, social, intuitive, creative, leadership, and cultural abilities and qualities.
It would be simplistic, however, to equate terms such as spiritual, artistic, musical, or leadership with Pākehā meanings of the terms. Māori have their own interpretations, which should be understood in their relationship to Māori culture. Māori also tend to expect these abilities and qualities to be used in the service of others.