Patea

Stats NZ describes Pātea as a small urban area, which covers 6.31 km² (2.44 sq mi).^[4] It had an estimated population of 1,290 as of June 2025,^[5] with a population density of 204 people per km².

Pātea had a population of 1,320 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (8.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 192 people (17.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 657 males, 657 females, and 6 people of other genders in 555 dwellings.^[22] 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 47.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 261 people (19.8%) aged under 15 years, 195 (14.8%) aged 15 to 29, 564 (42.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 300 (22.7%) aged 65 or older.^[20]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 60.7% European (Pākehā), 53.6% Māori, 6.8% Pasifika, 1.8% Asian, and 1.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.0%, Māori by 14.1%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 2.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[20]

Religious affiliations were 28.4% Christian, 0.5% Hindu, 7.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 53.6%, and 8.9% of people did not answer the census question.^[20]

Of those at least 15 years old, 69 (6.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 555 (52.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 429 (40.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $26,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 27 people (2.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 336 (31.7%) full-time, 135 (12.7%) part-time, and 48 (4.5%) unemployed.^[20]

Pātea Area School is a composite (years 1-13) school with a roll of 181.^[23] Patea Public School, later called Patea Primary School, opened in 1875^[24] and started offering secondary education in 1901. Patea High School opened in 1960. The primary and high school merged to form Pātea Area School at the beginning of 2005.^[25]

St Joseph's School is a state integrated Catholic contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 10.^[26] The school was established in January 1904.^[27]

Both schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of October 2025.^[28]

• Vera Burt (1927—2017), international cricketer and field hockey player
• Eric D'Ath (1897—1979), professor of pathology and medical jurisprudence at the University of Otago
• Len Keys (1880—1958), lawn bowls player who competed for his country at the 1934 British Empire Games, businessman, one of the pioneers of the Auckland passenger bus service
• Cedric Muir (1912—1975), cricketer, played in one first-class match for Wellington in 1943 and 44
• Denise Newlove (born 1973), Scottish international cricketer
• Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (born 1966 or 1967), Member of Parliament, co-leader of the Māori Party
• Dalvanius Prime (1948—2002), entertainer and songwriter, recorded Poi E with the Pātea Māori Club
• Codey Rei (born 1989), rugby union player
• Alistair Scown (born 1948), rugby union player
• Murray Watts (born 1955), rugby union player
• Cecil J. Wray (1867–1955), sports administrator, represented New Zealand on the International Olympic Committee from 1931 to 1934; he was on the Rugby Football Union in England for 25 years