A ceremony will be held today to mark the start of construction of new facilities at Kawerau's Tarawera High School.
The new facilities will include modern teaching spaces for 525 students, a library, technology and performance spaces, a wharenui, an administration block, and a wireless fibre network.
The redevelopment will also feature a number of environmentally sustainable initiatives.
Specific heating and ventilation initiatives have been implemented to help combat Kawerau's extreme temperatures. Passive solar heating will be generated via glazing systems that take advantage of the sun.
"The $15.6 million redevelopment of the school reflects the importance the Government places on raising student achievement in Kawerau and on providing a fresh start for the school and local community.
"The state-of-the-art facilities will replace approximately 60 per cent of the school's existing buildings, and will preserve the educational future of Kawerau's young people," said Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.