You will be required to download the Wii U system update available at launch in order to play Wii games, IGN report.
As revealed earlier in the week, the Wii U system update will also add online services including Miiverse, Nintendo TVii and Wii U Chat.
It now appears that backwards compatibility will also be added through this. Having inserted a Wii disc to their review unit to play, the console notified them that a system update would be required before they may use it.