Padre Kevin Herewini blessing the Open Arms centre during the official opening of the building.

Whangarei's day care centre for the homeless officially laid out the welcome mat on Thursday with a moving ceremony and a day of celebration.

Are 300 people attended the opening of 'Open Arms - Te Ruruhau Onga Ringa Ringa Tuwhera', including dignitaries, numerous social services, local organisations and iwi.

The centre was developed in response to the growing need for somewhere for the homeless and those living rough to be able to shower, wash clothes, cook a meal, enjoy companionship, and have an address where mail can be sent.

It will also be a hub where people in crisis can connect with various health, housing and community services.

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Annette Lambly/Stuff The hundreds that gathered for the official opening of the Open Arms centre flowed out on to the street.

Dr Carol Peters, the community development worker for One Double Five Community House, the trust that oversaw the development of the homeless centre says, "there is between 70-100 people living rough in Whangarei and just as many homeless."

The concept was the dream of Carrie Kake who for more than 40 years has been helping people into homes and employment, at times even taking them into her own home.

It's taken the trust and the many volunteers involved three and a half months to transform what was a rough and ugly unused army hall into a comfortable and attractive centre.

Annette Lambly/Stuff Ihaia and Carrie Kake. For Kake the opening of the centre was a dream come true.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai said she couldn't believe the transformation of the building likening it to "a beautiful butterfly emerging from a chrysalis". She thanked everyone for their hard work and commended Peters for her tireless effort.

"When Carol and Carrie first came to see me about finding somewhere for the homeless to shelter it nearly broke my heart.

"Carol my heart goes out to you. Thank you for leading this... for your tenacity and sheer bloody mindedness," she said.

Peters said the centre was a step in the right direction but the aim was to make homelessness a rare thing.

"We want people to to be in permanent rentals, we want people to own their own whare."

Annette Lambly/Stuff Local artists donated artwork and painted murals like this one of Mother Theresa on the library wall.

She made mention of the many funders, donations and others who had been involved.

"It has been a true community lead project which has included partnership with iwi, the council, the Government and the community... but I must mention Carrie. Where would it be if it wasn't for her," she said.

A humbled Kake credited the community for bringing it together saying the centre would make a huge difference to those who were experiencing hard times.

The centre has already appointed Sam Cassidy as its manager, the only paid position at the centre. It will be open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm.

Now Open Arms is looking to partner with volunteers groups who could open at weekends and/or offer breakfast or dinners.