UPDATED 12.49PM The Education Minister is being asked to reconsider how digital media is taught in schools.

An open letter, signed by three of New Zealand's top technology and business heads, has been sent to Minister Hekia Parata.

Orion Health chief executive Ian McCrae said they want digital media to be taught as a stand-alone subject.

"Separated from metal work, woodwork, sewing and cookery. We want it to be an academic subject in a separate learning area, just like maths and science, and it ought to be properly funded."

Mr McCrae said learning digital technology will serve students later in life.

"In the technology areas, there are lots of jobs if you go into TradeMe today there are 1700 jobs - way more than any other area. The jobs are well-paying and the skills are sought after internationally."

But Ms Parata said they've already announced digital technology will be written into the curriculum under the technology umbrella.

She said the subject is too ubiquitous to be stand-alone.