High performing principals are being sought as part of a new $50,000 principal recruitment programme.

Five schools around New Zealand have been given a government allowance to hire a new principal to lift their education standards.

They're in Canterbury, Hawke's Bay, Waikato, and two in Northland.

The schools' Boards of Trustees have to apply to the Secretary for Education to meet the criteria for the allowance.

The Principal Recruitment Allowance is part of a new $359 million investment in education.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says applicants for the positions will have to provide strong evidence of highly successful performance.