The primary school curriculum is in for an upgrade - with a digital dimension due to be added by 2018.

It's the first change to the curriculum since 2007.

LISTEN ABOVE: Xero managing director Anna Curzon talks to Mike Hosking about the importance of digital tech in school curriculum

Education minister Hekia Parata's confirmed that digital technology will be included under the technology subject at schools from next year.

MORE: Digital technology to be formally made part of education curriculum 

Xero managing director Anna Curzon told Mike Hosking that while every step is progress, introducing it under the general subject of technology isn't enough.

"For our kids, this is going to be a critical capability that they all need to have moving forward and you have to say, Latin's fantastic but is it going to make us a greater country. Is it going to help our kids?

Ms Curzon said it should be a school subject in its own right.

"You could hardly compare this sector, if you look at the stats, to woodwork and to sewing, where this digital curriculum has really being pigeonholed."

Co-founder of school tech organisation Code Club Michael Trengrove said it's a positive move by Ms Parata.

He said it's not just about giving kids a chance to play on an iPad or try out the latest tech-toys.

"This is about teaching our young primary school aged children the basics of computer science, data structures, programming and computational thinking. Skills that are absolutely vital for their futures.

Mr Trengrove said learning code, and understanding how the internet works, are invaluable for job prospects in any industry.

"There are thousands of in-service teachers who will be hungry to get their hands on some good, solid, professional development in this area so it really is going to be the piece that's going to make or break the success of this announcement."

He said stereotypes of computer-coding geeks in dark rooms, slaving away on computers, are on their way out.

"If you walk into any modern software company or tech company, it's nothing like that. It's open spaces, people collaborating together, working together to solve problems and now we're seeing that type of activity taking place in the open-plan classroom."