Patea (/pɑːˈtɛər/ pah-TAIR) is the third-largest town in South Taranaki District, New Zealand. It is on the western bank of the Pātea River, 61 kilometres north-west of Whanganui on State Highway 3. Hāwera is 27 km to the north-west, and Waverley 17 km to the east. The Pātea River flows through the town from the north-east and into the South Taranaki Bight.^[3][4]

Patea covers 6.15 km² (2.37 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 1,270 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 207 people per km².

Patea had a population of 1,191 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 93 people (8.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 48 people (4.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 525 households, comprising 609 males and 582 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.05 males per female. The median age was 46.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 219 people (18.4%) aged under 15 years, 180 (15.1%) aged 15 to 29, 522 (43.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 270 (22.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 60.5% European/Pākehā, 49.1% Māori, 5.3% Pacific peoples, 2.5% Asian, and 0.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 7.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.3% had no religion, 34.5% were Christian, 5.8% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.8% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 69 (7.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 345 (35.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $19,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 30 people (3.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 306 (31.5%) people were employed full-time, 129 (13.3%) were part-time, and 69 (7.1%) were unemployed.^[12]

Pātea Area School is a composite (years 1-13) school with a roll of 181.^[13] Until 2005 the school was Patea High School. It became an area school when Patea Primary School closed.^[14] The primary school was founded in 1875.^[15]

St Joseph's School is a state integrated Catholic contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 8.^[16] The school was established in January 1904.^[17]

Both schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of February 2024.^[18]

• 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