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Story: Class

Occupations: Audrey Gale, lawyer

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Occupations: Audrey Gale, lawyer

Audrey Ngaere Gale, shown here in a 1939 photograph, was one of the few female lawyers at that time. The law was one of the highest professions, comparatively well paid and with considerable prestige. The job required educational qualifications and Gale, who had been born in New Plymouth, was often the only woman in the law lectures at Canterbury College where she earned her degree. Later Gale became a New Plymouth city councillor and made a substantial contribution to the city both in the establishment of recreational reserves and the preservation of historical sites.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Audrey Gale Family Collection

Reference: PA12-2295

by Steffano Francis Webb

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Jock Phillips, Class – A middle-class society? – material differences, 1890 to 1970, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/29732/occupations-audrey-gale-lawyer (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Jock Phillips, published 15 April 2011.