The Pātea River runs 105 kilometres through the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, originating on the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki and passing east through Stratford before turning south to reach the South Taranaki Bight near the town of Pātea. It holds the distinction of being the only navigable river in South Taranaki, and canoeing is a well-established activity on the waterway.

A significant feature of the river is the Pātea Dam, an 82-metre earth-fill structure that ranks as the fourth highest dam in New Zealand. The dam creates Lake Rotorangi, a 46-kilometre-long reservoir that is New Zealand's longest man-made lake and a popular recreational destination. Paddlers accessing Lake Rotorangi have three boat ramps available: Glen Nui, Pātea Dam, and Pukekino Landing. Ramp usability is dependent on lake levels — Glen Nui is accessible between 75.5 m and 78 m, while Pātea Dam and Pukekino Landing are usable when the lake level sits between 74.5 m and 78 m.

Lake Rotorangi presents genuine hazards that paddlers should be aware of. Areas of shallow water and submerged obstacles exist throughout the lake, and these become more pronounced during periods of low lake levels. Hazard maps produced from a 2011 survey are available from Manawa Energy and identify the specific areas of concern for boating.

The river carries considerable historical and cultural weight, having served as the original route into South Taranaki for both Māori and European settlers. During the early colonial period, the Pātea River marked the administrative boundary between the New Ulster and New Munster Provinces from 1841 to 1853.