All News

Awards for Gifted Learners

Advice from the MoE is that awards for gifted learners are still to be confirmed. Please check back in September.

Gifted Learners’ Awards can support and challenge ākonga to try something new, or extend their interests.

  • Individual or a group applications.

  • Up to $2,500 per individual or $5,000 per group

  • To be used within a 12-month period maximum.

Many New Zealand schools are already extending the talents and the interests of their pūmanawa ākonga, gifted learners through Kōtui Ako’s online programmes, but now there’s the opportunity for financial support.  We encourage schools to access this funding to support gifted learners pursue their talents and interests.

Online Programmes for Gifted Learners

Kōtui Ako VLN offers a range of interesting online programmes. There are several programmes that are designed specifically for gifted learners, alongside programmes to further mathematics, science, digital tech, creative arts, music and many different languages.

  • Gifted specific: Complex Thinking, Mentoring, Sustainability

  • Digital Technologies, Web Design

  • Creative Writing, Poetry, Song Writing

  • Astronomy, Biology

  • Extension Maths – Problem Solving, Number Phenomena

  • Te reo Māori and Kapa Haka, Spanish, Japanese, German and more

Check out programme descriptions here.

How to apply

It is a pretty short & simple process. We’ve supported the application process by providing the necessary details here, but the application provides space for learners to exercise their own agency.

Children can apply to fund participation in their 2025 Kōtui Ako programmes.

Want to know more?

Contact us if you want to know more about our programmes, have ideas on how we can collaborate to tailor or create new programmes for your gifted learners, or if your students want some help in making choices or putting an application together.

Awards for Teachers

Gifted Awards also extends to teachers to support their professional growth in working with pūmanawa ākonga. Check out the opportunities for teachers on TKI.