Skilled carvers completed the wharenui in 1881, and it officially opened in 1888 at Horohoro. Several known carvers(in some instances only first names are known), including Hohepa, Tu, Te Wheoro, Naera, Henare Taiamai, Te Hake, and Te Ruato, contributed to the work:

1. The amo and the koruru carved by Hohepa.
2. The first maihi carved by Tu, and the second maihi by Te Wheoro and Naera.
3. The painting of the rafters, which are named “ngā tuhituhi by Te Arawa”, was the work of Henare Taiamai. 
4. The pare was carved by Te Hake and Te Ruato.

In the early 20th century, Kearoa underwent significant transitions. Around 1921, the community relocated Kearoa to Tarewa Road, alongside Taharangi, due to a tribal migration driven by economic factors. This move coincided with broader social and economic shifts within the community. However, around 1929, Sir Apirana Ngata’s introduction of the Native Land Development Scheme prompted the hapū’s return to their ancestral lands. With this return, the ornately carved Kearoa was re-erected at Horohoro, symbolizing a revival of the hapū’s connection to their land and heritage. This period marks a significant chapter in Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara’s history, reflecting the community’s resilience and adaptability amidst changing economic and political landscapes.