It also houses the Porirua City Library, a privately run cafe and a Japanese garden.

[3][5] Bob Cater co-founded Page 90 which became Pātaka and was awarded the Queen's Service Medal,[6][7] and Darcy Nicholas was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order,[8] in part for their roles in establishing the museum.

They transformed a 1970s office building that already housed the Porirua City Library, Whitireia's performance space and Page 90 gallery.

The Daylight Gallery has a semi-permanent exhibition about Ngāti Toa Rangatira, the local Māori iwi (nation or tribe) called Whiti Te Rā!

[9] Pātaka Art + Museum has an atrium the full length of the building that also connects the Porirua Library, reception, shop, cafē, performing arts studio, and meeting and events rooms and an outside courtyard with a Japanese garden.