Scepticism about the merger of three schools on Christchurch's east appears to have been replaced with excitement now the new school has been completed.

Rawhiti School will replace North New Brighton, Central New Brighton and Freeville Primary schools, and is set to have a roll of 500 kids.

Builders have handed over the keys of the new school to the Ministry of Education.

Hawkins Construction South Island regional manager Steve Taw said it will be a massive asset for the east.

"There's a lot of effort and concentration in the new buildings going in in the CBD, it's really important that we don't lose sight and lose track of the important pieces of infrastructure which need to be repaired or rebuilt in the outer regions."

The school includes a energy saving lighting system that measures daylight, and calculates how many lights need to be turned on.

Mr Taw said the future pupils are buzzing about their new school.

"We've even seen some of those kids making movies and and really connecting themselves to the school prior to it being delivered to them so that's one of the most satisfying things."

The new school has been built on TC1 land found at the back of North New Brighton school.