This study investigated National Adult Reading Test (NART) and Spot the Word (STW) premorbid estimates compared to Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (3rd ed; WAIS-III) performances in 89 healthy New Zealand adults. STW and NART Full Scale Intelligence (FSIQ) estimates were strongly correlated to WAIS-Ill FSIQ for Europeans (n75; rNART = .70, p < .001; r STW .70 p < .001). For those who self-identified as being of Māori ancestry (n=14) there was no significant correlation between WAIS-III FSIQ and the NART, while the correlation between STW and WAIS-III FSIQ was large (r = .91, p < .001). For Europeans the NART accurately predicted 41% of classifications, compared to 52% for STW. For Māori STW correctly classified 93%, compared to 7% for the NART. Though study with larger samples is required, when used in conjunction with qualitative information about ability, STW may be a more accurate premorbid estimator for New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]