Te Aroha, our Whare Kai (Dining Room) was officially opened on 23 October 1982 by Mr Ron Baldwin. The Tai Te Kawa ceremony was performed by the late Ruka Broughton. Puhi: Lisa Turia.

The name Te Aroha is captured in the words 'he aroha te mea nui o nga mea katoa' love is the greatest thing of all. It was also the name of the youngest daughter of Sam and Hokiwaewae who was their only living child when the rebuilding of the marae commenced. Te Aroha was known affectionally as Aunty/Nanny Dorsey by her whanau. When building of the marae began, Te Aroha (Nanny Dorsey) was diagnosed with cancer and had been given less than two years to live. A born fighter and with her passion to see the completion of the dining room, Nanny Dorsey survived long enough to also see the completion of Rangitahuahua, our Whare Tupuna (Ancestral House).