A number of those within the teaching sector are finding National's promise of smaller class sizes hard to believe.

The promise was the centrepiece of Simon Bridges' speech at his party's annual conference at the weekend.

Auckland Primary Principals' Association president Helen Varney told Kate Hawkesby over the past nine years the National government did little to show trust or raise the status of teaching.

"Three years ago the National government had plenty of opportunity to change their policies, and change the way teaching was viewed and bring more people into the profession but very little of that was done."

Varney says she therefore has little confidence in the announcement.

"Look it's a great idea, it's wonderful, it's actually what we want. But Mr Bridges is very short on detail, he doesn't give us any detail on how many students are actually going to be in that class."

LISTEN ABOVE AS HELEN VARNEY TALKS TO KATE HAWKESBY