...but not in N.Z.

Press, 28 August 1979, Page 17

...but not in N.Z.

If any of these child prodigies lived in New Zealand they would not be able to go to University at the age of six or seven, or even 13 or 14. University students in this country must have turned 16 by January 1 of the year in which they wish to attend university. The publicity officer for the Christchurch Association of Gifted Children (Mrs J. P. Hamlin) says that it may be possible for a 15-year-old to attend university if he or she

gained a special dispensation from the board of governors at that university. Eleven and 12-year-olds have been known to sit the university entrance examinations and pass them. Theoretically, those children can take extra mural courses at Massey University, although they have to cut through a lot of “red tape,” Mrs Hamlin adds. Mrs Hamlin says that although there are a few genius children in New

Zealand, they are not socially mature enough to mix with 16 and 17 yearold students at university. She knows of one seven-year-old girl who can read Tolkein with no trouble, but she would be “completely out of her depth” at university among older people. There are about 80 families belonging to the Christchurch Association for Gifted Children. Mrs Hamlin says that some of the families have as many as three gifted children in them.