It is on the western bank of the Pātea River, 61 kilometres north-west of Whanganui on State Highway 3.

[citation needed] In the early 1880s the predecessor to the Patea Freezing Works was established on the eastern bank of the Pātea River.

Cool stores for handling dairy produce followed in 1901 with later additions evolving into what became known as the Patea Freezing Co-Op, South Taranaki's primary employer.

The damage was extensive and with the health hazard presented by asbestos insulation throughout the freezer walls, the town sought demolition.

[citation needed] Patea became known in 1984 as the home of singer Dalvanius Prime and the Pātea Māori Club.

[8] Patea has retained a strong community focus and enjoys many services including a well-resourced medical centre, public swimming pool and trust-owned rest home.

Several kilometres east of Patea is the small community of Whenuakura, where New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell lived as a child.

He crowned his professional career by winning the U.S. Open in June 2005, and three months later the HSBC World Match Play Championship.

The local Wai o Turi marae and Rangiharuru meeting house are affiliated with the Ngā Rauru hapū of Rangitāwhi.

[9][10] In October 2020, the Government committed $298,680 from the Provincial Growth Fund to reconstruct the accessway to the marae and expand the carpark, creating 8 jobs.