The School purchased the Tihoi Timber Mill in the late 1970s with a vision to turn the workers' houses and other buildings into a place where a boy could have an outdoor education experience. The houses became the first student accommodation and the Mill Club Room was the original dining room.
The site was chosen because of its perfect location and surroundings which enables students to experience rock climbing, tramping and other outdoor activities. The close proximity of Lake Taupo was another reason for choosing the site with the lake’s pristine waters ideal for sailing and kayaking.
After several years of operation, in 1991, a new classroom was added along with a home for the library, a first aid clinic, an office and a staff workroom.
Further improvements were made to the site between 2000 and 2005 with each old house being replaced with purpose-built huts. Although rebuilt, the new houses retain much of the austere nature of the old houses; boys still cook on wood-burning stoves and only have the bare essentials with minimal furniture and no refrigeration. During this time a new dining complex was also built along with new staff houses and a utility storage building.
In 2008, an extensive landscaping and reforestation programme of the immediate Tihoi environment commenced and in 2009 the construction of a high ropes challenge course was completed and opened as an addition to the outdoor activities.
Since opening in 1978, Tihoi has had dedicated directors make an impressive difference during their tenure:
- Mike and Judy Shaw (1978 – 1981)
- Brian and Jan Neville (1981 – 1992)
- John and Christine Furminger (1992 – 2006)
- Chris Wynn and Cyn Smith (2006 – 2016)
- Cyn Smith (sole directorship, 2016 – 2020)
- Peter Evans (2020 – present)
