Australia and NZ to sing each other's anthems?

Australian school students could soon be learning the words to 'God defend New Zealand' for Anzac Day.

Queensland state school students could soon be singing the New Zealand national anthem to commemorate Anzac Day.

State premier Anna Bligh, who is chairwoman of the Anzac Day Commemoration Committee, is writing to state school principals asking them to play God Defend New Zealand, along with the Australian national anthem, at school ceremonies, Brisbane's Courier Mail reported.

They could also choose to teach students to sing the anthem.

"This would be a fitting tribute and suitable recognition of the members of the New Zealand armed forces who have served alongside the men and women of our Australian armed forces during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations," Ms Bligh said.

Queensland Principals Association chairman Norm Hart said it was "an interesting idea" but Queensland schools' focus should be on numeracy and literacy rather that extracurricular activities.

"If she is saying our students have to learn the lyrics and sing it, then I am less impressed."

More than 150,000 New Zealanders live in Queensland, about 40 per cent of all New Zealanders in Australia.

A spokesman for the New Zealand consulate office in Brisbane said the move was a "wonderful gesture" but it was unlikely that New Zealand schools would reciprocate.

However, New Zealand's RSA national president Robin Klitscher said both anthems were played at ceremonies on both sides of the Tasman and it would be a "pretty small step" for people to sing them instead.

Ms Bligh was only inviting the schools to include the New Zealand anthem and there shouldn't be any problem in inviting New Zealand schools to sing Advance Australia Fair, he said.

Mr Klitscher, a Vietnam War veteran, said he had fought alongside Australian troops there.

"All the stuff about rivalries on the sports field gets totally overwhelmed by something much more important and powerful."

- NZPA