Northland College's $14 million redevelopment has reached its first milestone, with the first new building open for use.
Students and staff are getting their first taste of an innovative learning environment at the Kaikohe school, with the first building in the redevelopment ready to use.
While the college's trades centre - which has cost about $350,000 - will ultimately be used for the school's trades academies, including agriculture, forestry and beekeeping, it is initially being used as a flexible learning space for a range of subjects.
Ministry Head of Education Infrastructure Jerome Sheppard said the school's idea of trying out the new space is very practical, and the Ministry is supporting them in use of the new building.
"The students will be able to see what it's like to work in a flexible space which supports a variety of teaching approaches," Mr Sheppard said.
"Innovative learning environments are proving to be enormously popular around the country, because they support student-centred learning, and kids are able to find a space and a way of working that is effective for them.