A $2 million re-development at Cullinane College is on track to be finished by Christmas.

The new buildings will house the school's wharenui, te reo Māori teaching space, performing arts space and recording studio.

Principal Kevin Shore said the new building would replicate what was already there, although in a different format.

"The old buildings date from the 1960s, but they met only 20 per cent of the current earthquake standards. Obviously that's not ideal.

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"It will also be a more modern learning environment for our students."

Mr Shore said the buildings were important for the school's direction.

"Our performing arts is strong, and growing - and of course our kapa haka is top quality. So having the best space we can is really important."

Mr Shore said having a construction site at the school was "a bit of hassle" - but it would be worth it.

"We will have these lovely buildings to come out of it, so we don't mind."

The buildings are due to be finished by Christmas, and will be formally opened in January.

Mr Shore said this was only stage one of the full re-development.

The second stage - which will start in December - will see two new computer suites and a health office at the school. This will be followed by stage three, in which a block of classrooms will be gutted from the inside and re-built.

"Hopefully everything will be finished by 2019."