A major blaze at a Taupo high school's been brought under control

Fire and Emergency crews from eight areas were sent to the fire at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College just after 2 yesterday afternoon - as thick black smoke spread across the town.

The school will be closed today - and the Ministry of Education says it will probably be closed tomorrow too while the site is assessed and made safe.

Taupo Mayor John Funnell says this is devastating for the college - which has a role of more than 1100 students.

He says it's going to impact the whole town in a significant way - and the council will do what it can to help.