Construction of Papamoa College is expected to be completed before Christmas and in time for its 2011 opening for what is likely to be a school roll of 400 students.

Papamoa College principal Steve Lindsey was previously deputy principal at Auckland's St Kentigern College and Papatoetoe High School.

The college is staggering its admissions by year and it is only open for Year 7-9 students to begin with. As the original Year 9s finish each year, the college will open up the next age group until they reach Year 13 at which point the school will be fully open.

The $27 million construction of the school has provided some ups and downs for first time principal Steve Lindsey, but he is excited about the opportunity to lead the new college and in particular the 25 teachers employed so farm, who he describes as an 'excellent, top quality group”.

A major contention for the college was its placement and effect on school zoning as it is located between Mount Maunganui College and Te Puke High School.

When the Ministry of Education finalised zoning for the college in June, Steve says many Papamoa residents were shocked when they realised they lived outside the boundary, and their children would not be able to attend.

The zone's northern boundary follows Kairua Road onto State Highway 2 and cuts through Papamoa, coming out just north of the roundabout at the intersection of Palm Beach Boulevard and Papamoa Beach Road.

'It was always going to be contentious and it's unfortunate some people can't go,” says Steve.

'The Ministry decided where the boundary would be.

'We can't take any students from outside the zone and we're sticking to that, but in fairness we will manage it as well as we can.”