Simon Bridges has hit back at criticism his economic agenda speech under-delivered.

The National leader addressed party faithful and media in Auckland today, signalling the party's direction for election year with "a framework of a plan" using the measures that they've got.

Bridges says our economy is declining, when it should be thriving, and he says only his party will put more money in people's pockets.

Bridges says National's five focuses are keeping taxes, and debt low; growing incomes; investing in core public services; and creating jobs.

He's pledged to deliver safety from gangs; and to invest in infrastructure.

However, the speech did not reveal any specifics about these plans or any figures. Bridges says that there is no "whizz-bang announcement" but insists it is still very significant. 

He signalled that there will be further announcements and details closer to election day. However, the Party has previously mocked the Government for making announcements about further announcements - including in a mocking tweet just yesterday afternoon. 

“We’ve wasted no time” 😂 https://t.co/keqOTkkvbB

— NZ National Party (@NZNationalParty) February 16, 2020

But Bridges rejects that the same label can be applied to his speech. 

"There's a crucial difference: I'm not the Prime Minister today. I have not many luxuries in opposition, but one of them is that I, in a sense, don't get to do anything before election day."

Bridges says his full speech shows what National is all about. 

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has called Simon Bridges' speech the most over-hyped and under-delivered he can remember during his time in politics.

He says it's clear National has no new ideas, just repeated buzz-words and tired old lines., and that it was vague, empty and relentlessly negative.