Paulger, Irene Doris
Production date
Circa 1920-1966
Description
Born in Christchurch in 1899, Irene Paulger was raised by her grandparents in Inglewood. She trained as a teacher and taught at Mangapohatu for over 25 years. While at this isolated settlement, Irene taught at the school and was also doctor, nurse, Post Mistress and minister to the community. While she never married, Rene 'adopted' four Maori children. Her whole life was dedicated to the Presbyterian Church and pastoral care. She died in 1966 at Birkenhead, Auckland.
The collection consists art work, possibly the work of pupils, photographs of Mangapohatu and children, newspaper clippings and an assortment of illustrations clipped from magazines used as teaching aids. Also in the Museum's collection are carvings, 'first' kete, and other items which were possibly made by students. Also a Kahuhuruhuru woven in muka and decorated with kereru feathers and two piupiu.
Object detail
Part 1
1. List of Maori material given by C. A. Paulger to the Taranaki Museum. Also list of items returned to Tuhoe in 2003. The artifacts are held at the Department of Conservation Waikaremoana Centre.
2. Pencil drawing. Depicts a shield with the words Maori 1946 and'Tama kai moana'.
3. Photograph. Group of Maori children standing with teachers. On reverse; 'Mrs Ingram Miss Katie Shaw'. ca.1920
4. Photograph. Group seated outside meeying house. On reverse; Members of the Methodist Conference held at Te Kuiti 15. 11. 1923.
5. Photograph. School group. Birkenhead School 1958 S 3 / 4
6. Photograph. Group seated in front of meeting house. On reverse; Man in foreground Te Heuheu, Rangatira. Tent in background place of the dead awaiting burial. Undated.
7. Photograph. House with woman standing in front. On reverse; Miss Rene Paulger. Dwelling of Huhana, Maori Prophetess. Undated.
8. Photograph. Unidentified person [butchering an animal?]. Undated.
9. Photograph. Maori children on horseback.
10. Photograph. View of unidentified village [Mangapohatu?]. Undated.
11. Photograph. Irene Paulger wearing a kahu huruhuru.
12. Photograph. Copy. Haka. Unidentified.
13. Photograph. Copy. on reverse; Maoris cooking in a steam-hole, Whakarewarewa, North Island, New Zealand.
14. Painting. Circular pattern done in watercolour.
15. Coloured chalk drawing.
16. Chalk drawing. Sea-shell.
17. Painting. Pink and black pattern.
18. Drawing. Poppy.
19. Photograph. Methodist Maori Choir 1933.
20. Newspaper clippings including obituaries for Irene Paulger.
21. Colour illustrations (5) of Maori women.
22. Whitcombe's pictorial history of New Zealand. 2nd ed. no. 436
23. Black and white illustration. Entrance to the Maori Pa.
24. Illustrations (2). Maori children.
25. Publication. The Primary Paper. August 1956. v.19, Lesson 32. Telling the story of Jesus to the Maoris.
26. Publication. The Maori today. Dept. of Maori Affairs. 1949
Public comments
Amazing woman she also taught Maori and let the children continue to speak their language.
- Linden Crocker posted 9 months ago.