I’m a writer and writing teacher from New Zealand.
I grew up in Taranaki and live in the Manawatu.
My poetry book, The Comforter (2011), is published by Seraph Press. Read some reviews.
My second book, Write to the Centre (2016) is published by Haunui Press. It’s a book about my lifelong habit of keeping a journal, with colourful excerpts from my own journal pages, and writing ideas. Read some reviews.
I publish essays, reviews and poems regularly in literary magazines and anthologies.
Some areas of interest are: nature writing, ecopoetics, permaculture, music, journaling, left-wing politics, community activism, environmentalism, poetry, food sovereignty, op-shopping/upcycling/resource-sharing, growing food, collaborative art, herbs, plant medicines, bonfires, community art, creative processes, yoga, meditation, tarot, season-based ritual, embodiment and somatics, empath survival skills. If you’d like to hire me to write about any of those things for your website or publication, get in touch!
Read more about my teaching work.
For queries or to say hello, email me: helenlehndorf@gmail.com
Helen Lehndorf 
Hi Helen – Bought The Comforter at Otago Uni Bookshop in the weekend and what a find! Love it. It’s a wonderful companion – ate breakfast devouring a poem, had a break from the garden, read a poem, and waiting for dinner to cook tonight I helped myself to two poems! A real treasure-trove, thank you. Ruth Arnison
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Hey thanks, Ruth! Thanks so much for a) taking a chance on the book b) liking it c) taking the trouble to say hi and let me know. I very much appreciate all three things! x Helen
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Hello Helen, I found The Comforter at the Poetry Library in London, UK. I enjoyed reading it (still enjoying it!). you are truly a great poet. thank you for sharing your art.
Irena
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Thank you so much, Irena! – thanks for stopping by and saying hello. Are you English or a NZer? I lived in London for a year in the 90s – in Brixton, Streatham and Battersea. I love London! I also remember the poetry library very well – it blew my mind that there could be a whole library just for poetry. Thanks again, Helen
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Yes, PoetryLibrary is a little gem among all the treasures that London offers! and I am actually Croatian artist living in Brixton currently! Irena
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Aah, how wonderful! I lived on Brixton Water Lane and Brixton Road. I hope you are having good adventures in London. x Helen
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