Youth MPs say improving knowledge of New Zealand's cultural history can be achieved by making the subject compulsory in schools.

Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox

The suggestion comes from the youth Māori Affairs Committee, which was established as part of Youth Parliament 2019.

The youth committee held an inquiry into how awareness of New Zealand's cultural history can be raised and has reported back to its actual Parliamentary counterpart, the Māori Affairs Select Committee.

Three recommendations for action the government could make were:

Compulsory teaching of accurate domestic New Zealand history for Years 9 and 10

Better protection of sites of Māori cultural significance

An increase in funding for promotion of existing resources that increase awareness of New Zealand's cultural history

Cha'nel Kaa-Luke and Christian Dennison, who are youth MPs from this year's Youth Parliament and members of the Youth Māori Affairs Committee, appeared in person before the Māori Affairs committee to speak to the recommendations.

Highlights from their briefing can be heard below.