Pataka Art and Museum

Pataka Art and Museum is a dedicated space for showcasing history and heritage. They celebrate Maori, Pacific Island, New Zealand and international art and culture. It is also the cultural heart and soul of Porirua City which is about a 15-minute’s drive from Wellington, New Zealand. Pataka in Te Reo translates to ‘a storage place for precious things.’ The museum also supports their community with Bottle Creek Gallery which celebrates local artists. The first sculpture you will notice is Michel Tuffery’s Bull Sculpture which is iconic as it is made of recycled corned-beef cans. The statement this piece makes is to undermine this high-fat imported item that undermined cultivation, fishing and cooking skills in the Pacific.

The museum is a place of inspiration where you can experience contemporary art, take part in creative classes and explore the area’s history. There are four galleries and the Front Gallery houses the main exhibition. The Daylight Gallery houses a semi-permanent exhibition; Story of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Whiti Te Rā, and Porirua’s iwi. The West Gallery houses more immersive and experimental art. The Maude and Miller Gallery is a contemplative space to finish your visit as this place is meant to reflect on the art. This is a place of diverse cultural interaction and the exhibitions are challenging and innovative. The building opened in 1998 and also houses a café, a Japanese garden and the Porirua City Library. You can also visit the gift shop that sells beautifully crafted pieces of art, souvenirs and jewellery.