The Prime Minister John Key says he personally supports New Zealand history being taught in the school curriculum, but making it compulsory is another thing.
In June the government announced that it will be investing $1.6 million to support the teaching of Maori history in kura kaupapa and schools.
The money will be used to enable teachers and schools to support and strengthen the teaching of Maori history in Years One to 13.
During his visit to koroneihana celebrations last week, Mr Key said that all New Zealand children needed to know about the country's history.
He said it will be part of the curriculum and schools had a wide range of capacity to teach it.
Mr Key said he personally thinks learning about the Maori land wars including the history of the kingitanga movement and all of the history of New Zealand from before and after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed was very important.
However, he said he did not necessarily think it should be made a compulsory subject and there should be an option for schools to teach it.
