Our history

Combined museum and gallery opened in September 1998

Pātaka Art + Museum was formed when the Porirua Museum and the Page 90 Art Gallery needed more space and Porirua City suggested they amalgamate onto the current site.

Our building is named Te Marae O Te Umu Kai O Hau. The new museum and gallery was officially opened in September 1998 and later that year named, Pātaka Museum of Arts and Culture, now shortened to Pātaka Art + Museum. Pātaka in te reo means a storage place for precious things.

The Porirua Museum opened in 1980 in nearby Takapuwahia. The Mana Community Arts Council started a community art gallery, Page 90,  in 1990 on the current site, with the Library joining them in 1991 to form a cultural hub.  By 1997 it was all a bit cramped, with everyone needing more space.

Porirua City suggested the museum and gallery amalgamate and create a combined Porirua museum of arts and culture.


The two organisations got to know each other during the build, co-habiting at the old Porirua Museum building.

The 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.