The new wharekai became even more needed after the old wharekai was destroyed in an electrical fire in March.
She said the size of the new wharekai meant the marae was able to take on more events and activities.
"The capacity means we can host birthdays, wedding parties, school events. There's enough space so that at one end you can seat people for kai and, at the other end, activities can be held."
But the new wharekai is just the beginning of what whanau have planned for the marae.
"We also want to complete the ablution block and move that closer to the wharekai and wharenui. We also plan to turn the bottom block into an arts centre," she said.
"We have a lot of talented artists, carvers and weavers and I think we're looking at inviting them back and see how they can maintain and encourage art."
For more details of events see: www.facebook.com/WhakaparaMarae