A group of school principals is questioning why their expertise isn't being directly asked for in the NCEA review.

NCEA Coalition spokesperson David Ferguson says the Education Minister's review into the assessment system gives five-year-olds the same same chance to submit as principals.

He says the seven-member Ministerial Advisory Group - who is leading an overhaul of a system for the next 30 years - only includes one principal.

Ferguson told Kate Hawkesby not prioritising their voices is a missed opportunity.

"I think it should have been recognised that we're there living and breathing it every single day in our schools, and we are the experts."

LISTEN TO DAVID FERGUSON TALK WITH KATE HAWKESBY ABOVE