About us | pataka

PATAKA Museum of Arts and Cultures, which has become the cultural heart of Porirua City, opened in 1998. In the 12 years since then the museum and gallery, which is about 15 minutes drive from central Wellington, has developed a reputation for showcasing the best in Maori, Pacific Island, New Zealand, Asian and international contemporary art & culture.

Pataka has five main galleries with over 14 major exhibitions each year, featuring work from local, national and international artists as well as a range of heritage and social history exhibitions. The Pataka complex also houses the Porirua City Library, Café Kaizen and a traditional Japanese garden, while Te Rauparaha Arena houses the Aquatic swimming facility which is within the same cultural precinct.

Pataka’s origins date back to the Porirua Museum which opened in 1980. By 1997 the museum was outgrowing its site at Takapuwahia, and a local community art gallery, Page 90, run by the Mana Community Arts Council since 1990, also needed more space and funding to expand. Porirua City Council suggested the two organisations should be amalgamated and a new combined Porirua museum of arts and cultures should be created.

The new museum and gallery was set up temporarily in the old Porirua Museum building while the Page 90 site, on the corner of Parumoana and Norrie streets, was revamped and greatly expanded, including building a second floor, storerooms, education centre, museum courtyard, workshops, the Japanese Garden, Community Meeting Room and extensions to the library.

The building had been named Te Marae O Te Umu Kai O Hau and the new museum and gallery was officially opened in September 1998. Later that year it was given its current name, Pataka Museum of Arts and Cultures – Pataka in te reo means a storage place for precious things.

PATAKA Museum of Arts and Cultures

Phone : +64 4 237 1511
Fax: +64 4 237 4527

Address

Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Street
Porirua
Wellington

Postal

PO Box 50218
Porirua City
New Zealand

Web

www.pataka.org.nz

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/PatakaMuseumOfArtsAndCultures?sk=wall

Opening Hours

Mon to Sat 10am - 4:30pm
Sunday 11am - 4:30pm