Gifted education in Australia and New Zealand.

Australia, consisting of eight state/territories across Austral and New Zealand, has been grappling with the concept of giftedness within a egalitarian framework since the 1970's, seeking to provide an educational system that fosters excellence in individuals, while aiming to avoid any claims of elitism and privilege (Braggett, 1993). Gifted education as a field of study in Australia and New Zealand began in the 1970's. The responsibility of providing education programs in primary and secondary schools exists at a state level, but it also influenced at a local level by parental awareness and demand, education policies, and teacher education. This has led to variability in the development of gifted education across Australia.