A new school is planned for Murupara which will cater for Years 1 to 13.

Rangitahi College and Murupara Primary School will merge into one area school at the beginning of next year, says Education Minister Hekia Parata.

She says the new school will be housed on the Murupara Primary School site.

This announcement follows a year of consultations with the Kawerau community about the restructuring for their schooling system.

Kawerau North, Kawerau Central and Putauaki Primary School will all merge to make one school on the Putauki Primary School site.

Former Education Minister Anne Tolley also made a decision to merge the college and the intermediate following consultation with the community.

Kawerau's new schooling system is to be implemented this year, with Murupara's to follow next year.