School principals have taken togs and snorkels along for a five-day leadership trip in Fiji.

It's one of many to hit the market since principals got a $6,000 salary boost for professional development and wellbeing.

It's prompted debate on whether they're valuable for leadership - or an opportunity to have a taxpayer-funded overseas holiday.

The Taxpayers Union's Jordan Williams says it's not a good look.

"It's two easy mornings of actual professional development, and the rest is sitting next to your private pool."

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