The small township of Pongaroa lies in the Tararua District, in the southeast of the North Island of New Zealand - 110 kilometres southwest of Hastings and 200 kilometres northeast of Wellington. The nearest town is Pahiatua, 50 kilometres to the west. Popular Akitio Beach is 30 kilometres to the east. The township straddles the former State Highway 52, a route between Masterton and Waipukurau.