Dwell’s community village in Kilbirnie was gifted the name “Mahora Te Aroha” by Matua Jackson (Te Atiawa, Taranaki Iwi) at the completion of part one of the build in 2023.  

"Mahora Te Aroha" – meaning "Spreading the Love" – is a deeply fitting name for this community housing development as it captures the essence of what this space aims to foster: connection, support, and belonging. The name reflects the idea of creating a warm, inclusive environment where people are not just residents but part of a larger, caring community. By emphasising "love," it speaks to the compassion and solidarity that underpin the development, inviting people to feel safe, valued, and uplifted in their shared spaces. In a world that can often feel fragmented, "Mahora Te Aroha" offers a vision of hope and unity, where every individual can thrive and contribute to the collective wellbeing. 

We are grateful to Peter Jackson for giving our village a name that embodies the core values of Dwell Housing Trust and reflects our mission. This name captures not only the essence of the complex, but also the way we nurture and support our residents as they thrive in their new homes and communities. 

Part one of Mahora Te Aroha was blessed in May 2023 by Matua Jackson whose parents were involved with Dwell some years previous, offering their own blessings on a number of early Dwell properties. Part two of the project at Onepu Road – the final 10-homes of the complex – were blessed by Taranaki Whānui Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust in October 2024. This marked the completion of the Mahora Te Aroha project.