Researchers at Otago University have discovered that events experienced by some children when they were as young as two years old, can be recalled years later.
They gave pre-schoolers a unique game to play with and then quizzed them about it six years later to find out how many remembered it.
Dr Fiona Jack says the game was custom-made to ensure it was unlike any other the children might experience.
She says about one-fifth of the eight to 10 year-olds remembered the game when questioned.
Dr Jack says the study will interest the legal fraternity, which often wants to know about the veracity of the memories young witnesses in court cases.