UPDATED 4:50pm: Both Labour and teachers' union, the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI), say a government education initiative is failing.

The government's Investing in Educational Success scheme puts $359 million toward expert teachers across schools.

NZEI claim nearly half of those expert teachers are in Auckland Central and North Shore schools, almost all decile eight to 10.

Only six percent of expert teachers have been placed in decile one and two schools.

Labour's education spokesperson Chris Hipkins says it's been an absolute shambles from the beginning.

"The poor kids, the kids who are struggling, they're the ones who are being left behind yet again. If this was meant to be about targeting disadvantaged kids, it's clearly failed."

The NZEI says decile one and two schools only get about six percent.

President of the NZEI, Louise Green,says the government's "Investing in Educational Success" scheme is not meeting intended expectations.

"The message of IES is to pay a few principals and teachers more to somehow raise educational achievement."

She says the scheme is failing the children who need the most help.

"This is a one size fits all policy and it's not actually targeted to where the needs are greatest."