Welby Ings: Kids are being labelled 'dumb' when they're not

By Radio NZ - Nine to Noon | Posted: Friday Jul 25, 2025

Welby Ings had a fascinating conversation with Kathryn Ryan this morning on Nine to Noon, RNZ, talking about his new book, 'Invisible Intelligence: Why your child might not be failing' It's well worth the listen:

When Welby Ings was 14 he was so desperate to avoid school he'd lather his face in the sap from a euphorbia plant and wait for the blisters to emerge.

It got him out of school for a while - but eventually his experience of being told he was dumb and stuck in the 'naughty class' became too much - eventually he was booted out of high school.

It's an unlikely start for someone who's ended up as an art and design professor at AUT, an author, film director and the recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Tertiary Teaching Excellence.

And it's the point Welby makes in his new book Invisible Intelligence: too many children are being described as 'behind' or labelled as 'problem kids' when they're not.

He looks at how we measure intelligence and children's educational progress - and why that often ends up marginalising children.

Welby argues that we need to appreciate the other ways kids can demonstrate their intelligence - through creativity, humour or non-linear thinking.

Listen here: Welby Ings: Kids are being labelled 'dumb' when they're not | RNZ