The new Year 7 to 13 college in Kawerau will be led by a former deputy principal of the school, Helen Tuhoro.
The Establishment Board of Trustees said Mrs Tuhoro accepted the position after being selected by the board from the four shortlisted applicants.
Mrs Tuhoro, a long-time Kawerau resident, is deputy principal of Trident High School in Whakatane. She spent 11 years at Kawerau College, four as deputy principal, before taking up the number two position at Trident in 2000. Before joining the college, Mrs Tuhoro taught for six years at Kawerau Intermediate School, specialising in music.
The new Year 7 to 13 school is expected to open next year and will be built on Kawerau College's River Rd site following a Ministry of Education decision to close the college and intermediate school.
"I have lived in Kawerau for 30 years and have taught at both of the schools affected by the closure, so I have empathy and understanding for families who are concerned about the changes," Mrs Tuhoro said.