John Dobree Pascoe

A DigitalNZ Story by Sienna Latham

Of all of Pascoe's photographs, I love his portraits best. Somehow staged and spontaneous, they hint at one of his foremost talents as a photographer: empathy. It's clear that he made his subjects feel comfortable in front of the camera, and this lends his images a timelessness that belies their often very pivotal and of-the-moment subject matter. See, for instance, his photos of the Maori Battalion, Polish refugees and women's wartime efforts (as opposed to, say, his landscapes and photos of Manuka Point Station). These are beautiful, moving tributes to his curiosity and willingness to experiment as a photographer.

Image: Female trainee physical education instructors exercising, Hutt Valley, Wellington

Female trainee physical education instructors exercising, Hutt Valley, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Pascoe, John Dobree 1908-1972 :Maori children, Porirua district

Pascoe, John Dobree 1908-1972 :Maori children, Porirua district

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Car travelling up Ngauranga Gorge, Wellington - Photograph by John Dobree Pascoe

Car travelling up Ngauranga Gorge, Wellington - Photograph by John Dobree Pascoe

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Reconstruction of pioneer hearth and stove - Photograph taken by John Dobree Pascoe

Reconstruction of pioneer hearth and stove - Photograph taken by John Dobree Pascoe

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Martha Pascoe as a new baby, in a cot

Martha Pascoe as a new baby, in a cot

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Pascoe, John Dobree 1908-1972:Photograph of the outside view of the Dixon Street Flats, Wellington, after their completion

Pascoe, John Dobree 1908-1972:Photograph of the outside view of the Dixon Street Flats, Wellington, after their completion

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Free apples to school children, May 1944. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - John Pascoe

Free apples to school children, May 1944. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - John Pascoe

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Willows on the shore of Lake Tutira, Hawke's Bay - Photograph taken by John Dobree Pascoe

Willows on the shore of Lake Tutira, Hawke's Bay - Photograph taken by John Dobree Pascoe

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Maori Battalion departure, Rotorua, January 1944. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - John Pascoe

Maori Battalion departure, Rotorua, January 1944. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - John Pascoe

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Engineer setting up a theodolite - Photograph taken by J D Pascoe

Engineer setting up a theodolite - Photograph taken by J D Pascoe

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Steel girders creating the frame of the Departmental Building, Stout Street, Wellington - Photograph taken by J D Pascoe

Steel girders creating the frame of the Departmental Building, Stout Street, Wellington - Photograph taken by J D Pascoe

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972 : Members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corp arriving in Wellington after their return from the Middle East

Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972 : Members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corp arriving in Wellington after their return from the Middle East

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ted Porter bringing in the mail at Manuka Point Station, and his son Bobby, 1943. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - John Pascoe

Ted Porter bringing in the mail at Manuka Point Station, and his son Bobby, 1943. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - John Pascoe

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Official VE (Victory in Europe) celebrations at Government Buildings, Wellington, May 1945. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - John Pascoe

Official VE (Victory in Europe) celebrations at Government Buildings, Wellington, May 1945. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - John Pascoe

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Four unidentified Maori nurses from the St John's voluntary ambulance organisation

Four unidentified Maori nurses from the St John's voluntary ambulance organisation

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Dorothy in old cart, Rakaia River

Dorothy in old cart, Rakaia River

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: VE Day, from Perretts Corner, Wellington 8 May 1945

VE Day, from Perretts Corner, Wellington 8 May 1945

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Eleanor Roosevelt inspecting WRNS at Devonport, Auckland

Eleanor Roosevelt inspecting WRNS at Devonport, Auckland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Returning World War II soldiers of the first furlough draft arriving in Wellington

Returning World War II soldiers of the first furlough draft arriving in Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Gun at Godley Heads, Lyttelton

Gun at Godley Heads, Lyttelton

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A woman Post and Telegraph driver

A woman Post and Telegraph driver

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Tasman Glacier from Haast (King) Hut

The Tasman Glacier from Haast (King) Hut

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Photograph of mountaineering equipment

Photograph of mountaineering equipment

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Land Girl

Land Girl

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A WAAC working the rangefinder for coastal guns at Godley Head

A WAAC working the rangefinder for coastal guns at Godley Head

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Daughters of shipbuilders at boat launching, Auckland, August 1944.

Daughters of shipbuilders at boat launching, Auckland, August 1944.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Miner's daughter, Denniston, Westland, September 1944.

Miner's daughter, Denniston, Westland, September 1944.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Canadian sailors, VJ (Victory over Japan) day, Wellington, 15 August 1945

Canadian sailors, VJ (Victory over Japan) day, Wellington, 15 August 1945

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Official VE (Victory in Europe) celebrations at Government Buildings, Wellington, May 1945

Official VE (Victory in Europe) celebrations at Government Buildings, Wellington, May 1945

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Reinforcements for 28 (Maori) Battalion leaving for overseas, Rotorua, January 1944.

Reinforcements for 28 (Maori) Battalion leaving for overseas, Rotorua, January 1944.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Trainee physical education instructors, March 1944.

Trainee physical education instructors, March 1944.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Street in Westport

Street in Westport

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Singing in the street on VJ day, Wellington

Singing in the street on VJ day, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Soldiers on parade at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, to celebrate VE Day

Soldiers on parade at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, to celebrate VE Day

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Girls at the Otaki Children's Health Camp

Girls at the Otaki Children's Health Camp

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Harvesting cabbages in Otaki, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, for United States servicemen

Harvesting cabbages in Otaki, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, for United States servicemen

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Coast watching station during World War II, at Oteranga Bay, Wellington

Coast watching station during World War II, at Oteranga Bay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Crowd at Liberty Corner, Wellington, listening to the US Marine Corps Band, Wellington

Crowd at Liberty Corner, Wellington, listening to the US Marine Corps Band, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Loading beef on to the Rangitiki from a Wellington wharf

Loading beef on to the Rangitiki from a Wellington wharf

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cook Strait, and the hills above Khandallah, Wellington

Cook Strait, and the hills above Khandallah, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Oliver Duff seated by an outdoor fireplace

Oliver Duff seated by an outdoor fireplace

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Polish refugees arriving in Wellington on board the General Randall

Polish refugees arriving in Wellington on board the General Randall

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: United States Marine during artillery practice near Whangarei

United States Marine during artillery practice near Whangarei

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: American tanks in Liberty Loan procession down Lambton Quay, Wellington

American tanks in Liberty Loan procession down Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Swing bridge at Lake Stream, Canterbury

Swing bridge at Lake Stream, Canterbury

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Flume for coal, Cascade Creek, Buller, West Coast region

Flume for coal, Cascade Creek, Buller, West Coast region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Maori children riding the elephant at Wellington Zoo

Maori children riding the elephant at Wellington Zoo

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service recruit learning semaphore on Somes Island

Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service recruit learning semaphore on Somes Island

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Girl feeding pigs

Girl feeding pigs

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lambton Quay, Wellington

Lambton Quay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The ship Pamir in Wellington Harbour

The ship Pamir in Wellington Harbour

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Female trainee physical education instructors performing leg swings, Hutt Valley, Wellington

Female trainee physical education instructors performing leg swings, Hutt Valley, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Soldier holding up a young child in a Polish camp, Pahiatua

Soldier holding up a young child in a Polish camp, Pahiatua

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Girl playing on a swing at a Polish refugee camp in Pahiatua

Girl playing on a swing at a Polish refugee camp in Pahiatua

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Trimming the roots of pine seedlings, State Forest Service nursery, Pongakawa

Trimming the roots of pine seedlings, State Forest Service nursery, Pongakawa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Docking a lamb at Mangaorapa

Docking a lamb at Mangaorapa

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Scene showing a soldier on furlough, Wellington

Scene showing a soldier on furlough, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Female pupil in a classroom at a Polish refugee camp, Pahiatua

Female pupil in a classroom at a Polish refugee camp, Pahiatua

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Mail man on horseback, Oteranga Bay, Wellington

Mail man on horseback, Oteranga Bay, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified Maori group with poi, performing at the unveiling of the Tasman Memorial at Tarakohe, during the Tasman tercentennial celebrations

Unidentified Maori group with poi, performing at the unveiling of the Tasman Memorial at Tarakohe, during the Tasman tercentennial celebrations

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Derelict hut at the Manuka Point Run, Canterbury

Derelict hut at the Manuka Point Run, Canterbury

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Manuka Point Station, Canterbury

Manuka Point Station, Canterbury

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Training of army bush guides near the Whakatikei River during World War II

Training of army bush guides near the Whakatikei River during World War II

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep jumping a creek, Manuka Point Station

Sheep jumping a creek, Manuka Point Station

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two horse cart crossing the Rakaia River

Two horse cart crossing the Rakaia River

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep crossing a river, Manuka Point Station

Sheep crossing a river, Manuka Point Station

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Christchurch school girls drinking milk

Christchurch school girls drinking milk

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Maori children

Maori children

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: United States Marines playing cards

United States Marines playing cards

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Koroua holding a baby at the opening of Tawakeheimoa meeting house at Te Awahou Marae, Lake Rotorua

Koroua holding a baby at the opening of Tawakeheimoa meeting house at Te Awahou Marae, Lake Rotorua

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Women, and packages, on a mail launch arriving at Picton

Women, and packages, on a mail launch arriving at Picton

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Woman working in a munitions factory in Hamilton during World War 2

Woman working in a munitions factory in Hamilton during World War 2

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two girls holding ice creams

Two girls holding ice creams

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Laurie Walker and horse, Manuka point Station

Laurie Walker and horse, Manuka point Station

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Woman stacking linen flax in Geraldine

Woman stacking linen flax in Geraldine

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Girls from Tokomaru Bay School singing an action song in Wellington

Girls from Tokomaru Bay School singing an action song in Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Coal miners, Buller district

Coal miners, Buller district

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Land girl, Carol Sladden, having a cigarette, Mangaorapa, Hawke's Bay

Land girl, Carol Sladden, having a cigarette, Mangaorapa, Hawke's Bay

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Polish refugees arriving in Wellington on board the General Randall

Polish refugees arriving in Wellington on board the General Randall

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Hanging out washing, Dixon Street flats

Hanging out washing, Dixon Street flats

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Woman picking apples in the Nelson district

Woman picking apples in the Nelson district

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Miners in a political argument

Miners in a political argument

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Unidentified Maori woman holding a child on her back, at Te Kaha

Unidentified Maori woman holding a child on her back, at Te Kaha

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Carpenters building flats for munitions workers, Woburn, Lower Hutt

Carpenters building flats for munitions workers, Woburn, Lower Hutt

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep dogs, Grasmere Station, near Cass, Canterbury Region

Sheep dogs, Grasmere Station, near Cass, Canterbury Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Children lying their beds in the solarium at the Wilson Home for crippled children in Takapuna, Auckland

Children lying their beds in the solarium at the Wilson Home for crippled children in Takapuna, Auckland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: School children performing a song during a hui for Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu at Ruatoria

School children performing a song during a hui for Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu at Ruatoria

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Woman with a child on her knee

Woman with a child on her knee

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sheep mustering, Orari Gorge Station

Sheep mustering, Orari Gorge Station

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Anthea Abercrombie using a machine for measuring screw gauges, Dominion Physical Laboratory, Gracefield, Lower Hutt, Wellington

Anthea Abercrombie using a machine for measuring screw gauges, Dominion Physical Laboratory, Gracefield, Lower Hutt, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Soldier guarding Japanese prisoner of war camp in Featherston, Wellington

Soldier guarding Japanese prisoner of war camp in Featherston, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in their flat, Hutt Valley

Two members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in their flat, Hutt Valley

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A member of the Home Guard at the Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki

A member of the Home Guard at the Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki

Alexander Turnbull Library