Hilary Stace: Researching a biography – Janet Fraser: Political Partnerships

Janet Fraser (1883-1945) was the political partner and wife of Prime Minister Peter Fraser. Both Scots-born, Janet and Peter met in Auckland and were active in the formation of the Labour Party. Later they moved to Wellington where Janet supported Peter through his imprisonment, and they were married a year after his election as an MP. Describing Janet as ‘a political feminist of the first post-suffrage generation’, Hilary Stace plans to produce the first published monograph on her life.

Hilary’s research reveals a woman who fought for social justice all her life. With friends and colleagues, Janet Fraser helped found the Labour Party and worked throughout her life to further its activities. She lobbied for women’s right to stand for Parliament and then supported others to do so.