Patea is the third-largest town in South Taranaki District, New Zealand. It is on the western bank of the Pātea River, 61 kilometres north-west of Whanganui on State Highway 3. Hāwera is 27 km to the north-west, and Waverley 17 km to the east. The Pātea River flows through the town from the north-east and into the South Taranaki Bight.

South Taranaki is a territorial authority on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island that contains the towns of Hāwera, Manaia, Ōpunake, Patea, Eltham, and Waverley. The District has a land area of 3,575.46 km2 and a population of 29,600. It is part of the greater Taranaki Region.