There are a range of factors driving our teacher drought, the teachers union says.

Its survey of primary and intermediate school principals has found 44 percent plan to slash teacher aide hours next year.

35 per cent of Auckland schools plan to implement the cuts.

The survey found that 19 per cent of schools plan to cut teacher aide hours by up to 10 per cent, 17 per cent will cut them by 11-20 per cent and 18 per cent will cut them by more than 20 per cent. Some are cutting hours only because needy students are moving on, rather than for budgetary reasons.

NZEI President Lynda Stuart told Rachel Smalley they're struggling to attract people into teaching.

"Pay is one part of this, but also it's around looking at people having the time to do the job without having all the other issues that come on top."

She said that children will suffer if teacher aide numbers are slashed.

Stuart said teacher aides work closely with children who have learning difficulties or behavioural problems.

"This is an area that principals just don't want to go in to, they don't want to cut teacher aide hours because they know just how important those people are to children and their schools."

At the same time, one in five Auckland primary schools will start the new year without enough teachers.

A NZEI survey found that 14 per cent of primary and intermediate schools nationally, and 19 per cent in Auckland, expect to be short of one or two teachers at the start of next year.

Two further schools, both in Auckland, expect to be three or four teachers short, taking the Auckland total with unfilled vacancies to 20 per cent.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins met with the Auckland Primary Principals Association (APPA) executive in Auckland on Friday and a spokesman said he would announce a package of measures to tackle the crisis "very soon".

LISTEN TO LYNDA STUART TALK WITH RACHEL SMALLEY ABOVE