A historian says teaching New Zealand history in schools will work, as long as it's done properly.

The Government is expected to announce plans this morning, to make it compulsory for every school to teach national history to students.

AUT historian Paul Moon says the move will bring us in line with the rest of the world.

But he told Kate Hawkesby it needs to be about discussing how New Zealand became what we are, rather than just memorising dates.

"The worst thing you could do is have a list of dates and lists and tell kids to memorise them. It kills interest in the subject."

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