Lee Fraser uses poetry for ogling life’s details, emotional archaeology and comic relief. She enjoys experiments with restricted word sets e.g. using a Year 1 spelling list (e.g. Grace, Enough and Joy), the Swadesh international 207-word list (e.g. You Say Heart Names and All Who Play Here), or using only the words from a well-known children’s story.
Lee grew up in Aotearoa New Zealand, was a linguist in Papua New Guinea and Kenya in her 20s, collided with domesticity in Ōtautahi Christchurch during her 30s, and later rediscovered health through poetry. She also loves music, plants and dietary requirements victories.
She won the Ōtautahi poetry slam in 2023 and 2024, and placed 4th nationally in 2024. Lee has performed over 100 different original poems since August 2023, featuring at Biketober, Canterbury Poets’ Collective, Face/Off Comedy vs Poetry, Late Night Poetry, Lobe Sessions, Te Pūtahi’s ‘Cities Need Apartments’ and private events, with half-hour sets at Akaroa Open Mic and Speakeasy, as well as reading at primary and secondary schools, open mics and church services. In 2024-2026 she had 70+ pieces published internationally. In 2026 her children’s poem ‘All Who Play Here‘ placed second in The Poets XYZ competition. In 2024 her 100-word story was longlisted for Micro Madness, poem Never Laid a Hand on Me was longlisted for the Monica Taylor Poetry Prize, and poem Wishbones was featured in Given Words.
Her poems are published internationally in journals and anthologies, including Cordite, Ink Sweat & Tears, Meniscus, ONE ART, Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook, takahē and Thimble.
She has volunteered on the Canterbury Poets’ Collective committee since 2025.
Page poem feedback:
Renee Liang, judge of the Monica Taylor prize 2024: “a restrained, well-crafted poem that barely holds its anger/passion in.”
Charles Olsen, on Given Words featured poem ‘Wishbones’: “natural, understated… invites us to reflect…”
Bill Nagelkerke, judge of The Poets XYZ competition: “a vibrant image… wonderfully resonant… what a great template this approach to writing poetry could be.”
Event feedback:
Canterbury Poets Collective feature set: “amazed everyone“
Ali Jones, audience reviewer at Face/Off Comedy vs Poetry 2024: “fabulous”
Flat City Field Notes, re Face/Off Comedy vs Poetry 2026: “cheeky ode to menstrual cups garnered an enthusiastic response“
Dave Adams, Face/Off Comedy vs Poetry manager: “one minute you’re tearing up, the next you’re snorting with laughter. Lee Fraser is… sharp… one of the best.”
Brett Mann, in audience at Speakeasy set: “a range of very different issues, from a very creative and original perspective, that really held our attention… came across as very authentic and open which is always engaging.”
Jessica Halliday, on staff at Te Pūtahi: “… magnificent poems and reading last night as part of He Whakawhiti Kōrero Christchurch Conversations. They were superb and such a great response to the topic and issues we’re concerned about.”
Workshop/education feedback:
Kathryn Gibson, Christchurch Christian Writers Group coordinator, re restricted word set workshop: “… really fun! Such a cool and creative way to write.”
Kym, Year 5/6 kaiako, Mairehau Primary School: “It is so powerful for tamariki to see passionate people in action.”
Interview:
Plains FM ‘Beyond Rhyme’ poetry show, 8 Dec 2024 – talking memorisation, what inspires poems, reasons to honour AoNZ slang, half-chopped carrots while Lee scribbles poem notes, audience engagement, managing the nerves roller coaster, competitive slam, poetry sessions in schools, and her poetic origin story.
Lee Fraser Poetry 