Movie mogul and World War I buff Sir Peter Jackson is to oversee the design of life-sized replica trenches at Waiouru.
The trenches behind the National Army Museum will be built in time for WWI centenary commemorations next year.
Building will start in September and they should be ready by Anzac Day 2015. The trenches will be built on land about the size of two rugby fields (180 metres long by 180 metres across).
Museum collections curator Windsor Jones said the project was a collaboration between Sir Peter, his design team and New Zealand Army engineers.
Guided tours will be conducted through the network of trenches for visitors to the museum from Anzac Day next year.