About 50 local early childhood centre and primary school educators gathered at the National electorate office in Rotorua to rally against the Government's Investing in Educational Success policy.
Teachers, principals and support staff from a number of Rotorua schools wore purple to the rally last Friday and held up placards asking the Government for a better education plan.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay said he was not at the office during the rally but had "a lot of respect for local teachers and the work they do".
"People have the right to express their opinions but I do think the nationwide rally was politically motivated, being staged so close to election day."
Mr McClay said there was a long consultation period and the unions present supported the policy initially.