The Tauranga police station will be knocked down to make way for a new $21 million facility.
The current building was built by the then Ministry of Works in 1965, to accommodate 50 staff and ten vehicles.
Those numbers have more than tripled since then to about 185 staff and 60 vehicles.
Police Minister Judith Collins says the current station is cramped, in poor condition and does not meet the needs of a modern police force.
Inspector Mike Clement says the new facility will be open-plan with modern facilities.
He says the police will move to another site early next year, while construction takes place at the current location.
The new station is expected to be operational by mid-2013.
