Last updated October 2026
Welcome to Pātūtahi, a small rural settlement 15 kilometres northwest of Gisborne in New Zealand’s North Island. Located in the fertile Waipaoa River valley, this farming community supports agriculture on the Poverty Bay flats while maintaining strong Māori cultural ties.
The area offers visitors a peaceful glimpse of rural life with scenic valley landscapes and easy access to Gisborne amenities. Pātūtahi blends agricultural productivity with community spirit in the Gisborne District.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 520, up 12% since 2018
- Land area
- 24.68 km²
- Location
- 10.6 km west of central Gisborne
- Council
- Gisborne District Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Ngātapa, Manutūkē, Waituhi, Waerengaahika, Matawhero, Waerengaokurī
- Ward or local board
- Tairāwhiti General Ward (Gisborne District Council)
- Getting there
- State Highway 2 from Gisborne
- Nearby landmarks
- Rongopai Marae, Pakowhai Marae, Takitimu Marae, Pātūtahi Hall
Who Lives in Pātūtahi
About 520 residents in 160 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
Schools in Pātūtahi
One school sits inside the Pātūtahi boundary.
Also zoned for Pātūtahi
Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.
Bin Day in Pātūtahi
by 7am on collection day
Streets near a suburb edge can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure.
Streets in Pātūtahi
23 streets are in Pātūtahi. Search any street in Gisborne to see which suburb it is in.
Show all 23 streets in Pātūtahi
- A
- Atkins Street
- B
- Biggs Street
- Bilham Road
- Butler Lane
- C
- Cemetery Road
- Cooper Road
- E
- Eade Road
- Ellmers Road
- K
- Kaimoe Road
- Kirkpatrick Road
- Knight Road
- L
- Lake Road
- Lavenham Road
- O
- Onslow Road
- Opou Road
- P
- Park Road
- Patutahi Road
- Pipiwhakao Road
- S
- Seddon Street
- T
- Tansley Road
- Tiniroto Road
- W
- Wharekopae Road
- Wharerata Road
A long road is listed in each suburb it runs through.
Safety and Hazards
Handy Facilities
Weather and Rent at a Glance
City-wide figures.
In Pātūtahi
Places and businesses inside the official Pātūtahi boundary.
Places
About Pātūtahi
Pātūtahi is a rural settlement in the Gisborne District, situated in the Waipaoa River valley on the Poverty Bay flats.
Pātūtahi is a rural settlement in the Gisborne District, situated in the Waipaoa River valley on the Poverty Bay flats. The fertile soils and sheltered position support intensive horticulture and farming. The name was officially updated with macrons in 2021.
It features a primary school established in 1878 and a community hall used for events, badminton, and fitness classes. Three marae serve local hapū of Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki.
Agriculture dominates the local economy, with crops including kiwifruit, citrus, maize, and sweetcorn grown on the surrounding flats. The Waipaoa River contributes to soil fertility in this productive valley setting.
European settlement developed alongside earlier Māori occupation. The area once had a railway station on the Ngātapa Branch from 1915 to 1931. Today, residents maintain strong community connections through local facilities and events.
Location and Access
Pātūtahi lies approximately 15 km northwest of Gisborne city centre via State Highway 2.
Pātūtahi lies approximately 15 km northwest of Gisborne city centre via State Highway 2. The route provides straightforward road access from Gisborne and connects to other parts of the East Coast region. The settlement occupies a sheltered position in the Waipaoa River valley, surrounded by rolling hills.
History and Māori Cultural Heritage
Māori settlement in the Tairāwhiti region dates back centuries, with Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki as one of the principal iwi.
Māori settlement in the Tairāwhiti region dates back centuries, with Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki as one of the principal iwi. Three marae in Pātūtahi belong to hapū of this iwi, including Pakowhai Marae, Rongopai Marae, and Takitimu Marae. These sites preserve cultural traditions and serve as community hubs.
European farmers arrived in the 19th century, establishing the area as an agricultural settlement. The combination of Māori and Pākehā heritage shapes local identity and community life today.
Agriculture and Economy
The fertile soils of the Waipaoa River valley make Pātūtahi part of the productive Poverty Bay horticultural region.
The fertile soils of the Waipaoa River valley make Pātūtahi part of the productive Poverty Bay horticultural region. Key crops include kiwifruit, citrus fruits, maize, and sweetcorn. Farmers focus on sustainable practices to manage soil health and erosion risks in the valley environment.
Community Facilities and Events
Pātūtahi Hall serves as a central venue for meetings, functions, sports, and fitness activities.
Pātūtahi Hall serves as a central venue for meetings, functions, sports, and fitness activities. The local primary school has operated since 1878. Marae play a key role in cultural and social life for the Māori community. Residents also participate in broader Gisborne District events and festivals.
Recreational Opportunities
Outdoor activities centre on the rural landscape, with opportunities for walking and exploring the valley.
Outdoor activities centre on the rural landscape, with opportunities for walking and exploring the valley. Nearby trails in the wider Gisborne area, such as those around Kaiti Hill, offer additional options for visitors. The settlement’s location provides easy day trips to Gisborne’s coastal attractions and urban facilities.
Near Pātūtahi
Just outside Pātūtahi, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Show 2 more places
Businesses
Explore all Gisborne businesses
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia – Pātūtahi: Overview of settlement history, demographics, marae, and facilities with cited sources.
Gisborne District Council: Official information on local facilities, halls, and district services.
Stats NZ: Population and census data for Pātūtahi rural settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Pātūtahi?
About 520 people lived in Pātūtahi at the 2023 Census, up 12% since 2018. See Who Lives in Pātūtahi
Which schools are zoned for Pātūtahi?
Campion College's zone covers all of Pātūtahi. Zones change, so check an address with the school. See Schools in Pātūtahi
What day is rubbish collected in Pātūtahi?
Friday. Bins go out by 7am on collection day. Streets near the edge of the suburb can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure. See Bin Day in Pātūtahi
Is Pātūtahi in a tsunami or flood zone?
About 20% of Pātūtahi is inside the tsunami evacuation zone, and about 40% of its land is in the council's mapped flood areas. A long or strong earthquake means move to high ground or inland straight away. Check a street on the council flood map before you buy. See Safety and Hazards
Which suburbs are next to Pātūtahi?
How far is Pātūtahi from central Gisborne?
About 11 km west of central Gisborne, measured in a straight line.
Which iwi is associated with Pātūtahi?
Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki is the principal iwi, with three marae in the area belonging to local hapū.
What crops are grown in the Pātūtahi area?
The fertile Waipaoa River valley supports kiwifruit, citrus, maize, and sweetcorn production.
Does Pātūtahi have a school?
Yes, Patutahi School is a state primary school (Years 1–8) that opened in 1878.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Gisborne only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Pātūtahi is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Sources and data notes 8
- Official Suburb Facts: Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.
- Who Lives in Pātūtahi: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Pātūtahi boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.
- Schools in Pātūtahi: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026.
- Bin Day in Pātūtahi: Gisborne District Council collection areas.
- Streets in Pātūtahi: LINZ NZ Addresses road data, CC BY 4.0.
- Safety and Hazards: Gisborne District Council tsunami evacuation zones and District Plan flood hazard overlays.
- Handy Facilities: Gisborne District Council public toilets; NZTA EVRoam charging sites.
- Weather and Rent at a Glance: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026.