The Rotorua homeless shelter has officially opened after months of hard work.
Tim Deane, from Visions of a Helping Hand Charitable Trust says the opening of the shelter felt "unreal".
The community have come together in support donating milk and Contact Energy donating $5000 of power, Stuff reports.
The owners of Four Square, Edmund Rd had contributed to the centre donating coffee, bread and other things when they could.
Claire Gallagher from the Four Square said she wanted to help but didn't know how.
"We didn't just want to put our arms out, we wanted to put our arms out and give. We're a grocery store, we have food and people need it because in New Zealand eating shouldn't be a privilege, it's a basic human right.
Rotorua Lakes Council's kaiwhakahaere Māori Gina Rangi said the council would continue to work with Visions of a Helping Hand, other providers and agencies towards long-term solutions.
"The shelter is important while work continues to establish longer term solutions to homelessness in our community."
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