A primary school teacher accused of indecently touching a number of female students over a four-year period has denied the allegations.

The man in his 50s has pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of doing an indecent act on girls under the age of 12.

His name and the name of the school where he taught have been suppressed.

Crown prosecutor Eliza Walker has told the Auckland District Court the alleged indecency began shortly after the teacher started working at the school.

An investigation into the teacher's conduct began after a former student came forward.

Within months, police and social workers had interviewed nearly 100 children.

The trial is scheduled to last up to four weeks.