While ‘the big boys’ may make broader strokes, local media ensures all of our residents can be in the know with regards to what’s happening right here in Franklin.
Local newspapers and magazines help locals ‘read all about it’, offering everything from news to feature articles, entertainment and more.
In particular, Rural Living magazine has proven a popular read. While it is intended for rural readers, it includes much in the way of content of interest to townies too. This monthly, lifestyle publication is distributed direct
through letterboxes in rural areas (or by subscription) and it’s available from stands throughout our local towns, including Papakura, Pukekohe, Waiuku, Tuakau.
In addition, keep an eye out for regular newsletters from Auckland Council and local business associations. And, our area’s social media pages and websites (including www.ruralliving.co.nz) highlight more immediate news, views and issues.
Thanks to community media, Franklin’s newest residents will soon find they can stay up to date with all aspects of local life in our thriving region.
There was a time when wagons laden with new settlers rolled down the Great South Road to Franklin. These days, new residents arrive by other means, but they can all expect a warm welcome.
By choosing to move to our delightful region, readers have taken the first step in joining a vibrant community; this publication is intended to help with the next step, revealing just some of what Franklin has to offer.
New residents are encouraged to visit information and community centres to learn more about contemporary life, and our history is well documented at museums, with valuable insights to our past.
At our local towns, people benefit from such public amenities as pools, sports grounds, galleries, theatres and libraries. Shops and regular markets provide everything we could need while community events deliver plenty of entertainment.
Our towns also abound with a wide variety of eateries so there’s plenty to titillate the palate, while quiet country cafes are ideal for a meal and cuppa as
we drink in the scenery.
From the Awhitu Peninsula and the Sunset Coast in the west, to Orere, Hunua and Kaiaua in the east, Franklin comprises picturesque landscapes and beaches with much to explore. Rising from agricultural and horticultural roots, the region provides a quiet, country atmosphere to many. However, Franklin is growing fast with many new subdivisions housing a burgeoning population.
When it comes to venturing further afield, Hamilton is now less than an hour’s drive from the top of the Bombay Hills (regarded as the southern gateway to Auckland) due to improvements to the Waikato Expressway. And, those who wish (or need) to venture into central Auckland will find recent development of the Southern Motorway speeds the process. While the local Papakura-Pukekohe section of Auckland’s railway is off the timetable for now, it will improve transport options even further.
We’ve come a long way since the first wagons were welcomed to our community, but modern settlers are quickly discovering there are even more reasons to be proud to call Franklin ‘home’.
What better way to get to know the locals than mix and mingle at one of our many event venues? While Franklin has many more halls, churches and public venues, we’ve compiled the following list featuring just a few of our favourites. From sport to arts, theatre and music, Frankliners have plenty of entertainment from which to choose.
222/250 Manukau Road, Pukekohe
The roar of crowds – screaming until they’re ‘horse’ – is a common occurrence at Pukekohe Park. This popular racetrack regularly pulls in the punters during thoroughbred racedays, which also see fashion and fun come to the fore for our rural community. Details via www.pukekohepark.co.nz.
824 Harvard Lane, Ardmore Airport, Ardmore
The Papakura Museum, Tuakau & Districts Museum, Waiuku Museum and Glenbrook Vintage Railway (among others) all provide insights into our area’s rich history, but NZ Warbirds really does take history to new heights. In addition to regular airshows, Warbirds is open for tours. Details via www.nzwarbirds.org.nz.
Franklin Road, Pukekohe
Once known as Growers Stadium, this rugby ground has long encouraged sports fans to set a course for Pukekohe. Home to the mighty Counties Manukau Steelers and Counties Manukau Heat, Navigation Homes Stadium has been the stomping ground (not literally of course!) of some great All Blacks, including Andy Dalton, Joeli Vidiri and Jonah Lomu. Details via www.steelers.co.nz.
Hampton Downs, North Waikato
The thunder of engines has seen a once sleepy, area of northern Waikato transformed into a world class motorsport track. Hosting such marquee contests as the NZ Grand Prix and regular rounds of the RYCO 24.7 V8 Ute Racing Series, for example, the track also offers locals numerous opportunities to take a ride on the wild side themselves. Details via www.hamptondowns.com.
13 Ray Small Drive, Papakura
From the country charm of the OSPA Hall in Onewhero to Waiuku Theatre Group’s Backstage Theatre, we have plenty of stages and players in Franklin. A great place to start for those new to the area, and keen to applaud those who tread the boards, Hawkins Theatre draws some of the largest crowds locally due to the variety and quality of its performances. Details via www.hawkinstheatre.co.nz.
12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe
Although our region boasts numerous galleries –including Pollok Co-op, Papakura Art Gallery and more –the Franklin Arts Centre really is… ‘state of the art’!
At the heart of one of our largest towns, this centre displays works by talented locals as well as hosting exhibitions by inspiring creatives from further afield. Details via www.facebook.com/FranklinArtsCentre.
In addition to venues already mentioned, there are countless smaller, local hubs for arts and entertainment locally. New residents will find the teams at our local business associations – from Papakura and Pukekohe to Waiuku, Tuakau and more – are up with the play regarding upcoming events. Community social media pages are also a useful resource.
Those who fail to plan may as well plan to fail. Although some details regarding expansions to Pukekohe’s town centre may still be subject to change, the big picture appears to reveal big changes ahead for this local town.
As Pukekohe’s population is projected to grow by 50,000 people over the next 20 years, a masterplan is now unfolding. It is set to become an urban hub for residents in surrounding rural areas and other smaller communities in the Franklin region.
The developer, Eke Panuku, expects the plan to result in safer and better-connected streets, upgraded shop frontages, a new dining district, improved parking facilities and upgrading of character buildings. Developing community spaces is also on the cards to make Pukekohe meet residents’ business and leisure requirements. Some parts of the plan are already underway, including a new health hub on Manukau Road, however changes will come in stages to limit the impact on day-to-day life.
But Pukekohe isn’t the only Franklin town experiencing major upgrades - the Drury South Crossing development
is also in progress. This 361ha mixed-use precinct is seeing a once (somewhat) sleepy town straddling the Great South Road increase substantially. Including residential, industrial and commercial areas, this development has been devised to cater to our region’s flourishing population.
For more detailed information regarding these two projects, visit www.ekepanuku.co.nz/Pukekohe and www.drurysouthcrossing.co.nz.
There is much in the way of landmarks, scenic spots, historic locales and the like throughout our region to draw the focus of visitors and new residents. We’re sure some will already be familiar with the places pictured on this page but newcomers may have fun guessing where these photos were taken (answers below) while becoming familiar with their new home.
Auckland may be the ‘city of sails’ but navigating across its southern most region often requires we take to its highways, byways and railways. These days, all we need do is reach for our mobile phones to chart our course when travelling by car, but we are also well served locally with public transport.
Due to major works on the Papakura to Pukekohe section of Auckland’s rail network, train services have been curtailed with replacement bus services in effect until at least late 2024. However, when completed, the new electrified line will ensure faster travel times with no need to change from diesel to electric trains (or vice versa) when riding the rails.
The addition of three new train stations (two in Drury and one in Paerata) will allow for more flexibility, serving burgeoning residential, commercial and industrial developments.
There has been much in the way of modernisation on our major thoroughfares. Short term pain should give way to long term gain for motorists as work to improve (widen, for the most part) the Southern Motorway continues. Upgrades to the motorway are also intended to provide a smoother transition to the Waikato Expressway, another project designed to get us where we need to go.
Other main roads have benefited from infrastructure investment too. Just one example is the Glenbrook roundabout. Now completed, this permits speedier and safer travel at one of the region’s busiest intersections, on State Highway 22, well known by locals as ‘Caltex Corner.’
All round, or on the straight and ‘wider’, roadworks are progressing at pace.
New residents should note local speed limits, especially on our rural roads. Although more widespread plans to lower limits from 100 to 80kph appear to have been shelved (from early 2023), reductions are still planned (or already implemented) on a number of Franklin roads.
Lower limits also extend beyond our area’s main roads with limits dropping to 40 or even just 30kph in some places, particularly near schools. While such changes are expected to make for safer journeys, motorists need to take even greater care to avoid falling afoul of the law.
Although urban developments abound, our region still comprises many rural roads. As slow-moving agricultural vehicles share our roads, a little patience goes a long way.
More information (including public transport timetables and speed limits) is accessible via www.at.govt.nz.
Aforward-thinking approach is changing the face of Franklin. New housing developments have been constructed (with more to come) from Karaka and Drury through to Paerata Rise, Kingseat, Patumahoe and Pokeno, to name a few. Along with them have come new public amenities and businesses. However, the region’s drawcards today are, in many ways, the same ones that have attracted settlement throughout its history.
Maori settlement dates back centuries, with hapu able to trace their whakapapa back to the Tainui waka. Franklin’s (relatively) close proximity to the major trade arteries, ports and rivers, from the banks of the Waikato in the south to the Manukau Harbour in the north, proved advantageous to Tangata whenua. Just one example was the Karaka shore – with Weymouth located across a narrow part of the Manukau Harbour’s tidal arm, it gave easy access to a superhighway of its day.
For many years, much of Franklin’s landscape was dominated by wetlands, creeks and bush. It yielded abundant natural resources with hunting and fishing supporting its local inhabitants. Maori also reaped the benefits of Franklin’s rich, volcanic soil when growing traditional crops.
Scattered throughout the region were papakainga (settlements), urupa (burial grounds) with foot tracks
skirting swamps. Archaeological evidence, as well as records from church missionaries and kaumatua, confirms Maori were prospering in the region and remained its sole custodians until European settlement began to grow and change the face of Franklin.
In the mid-19th Century, as more bush was cleared, farmers began arriving in greater numbers. With them they brought crops, fruit and livestock once foreign to New Zealand. As Auckland began to flourish so too did Franklin as both Europeans and Maori benefitted from ‘the big smoke’s’ markets and ports. During this time,
farming and growing blossomed with produce headed north (to market) in abundance, much as it still does today. Maori also continued to trade fish as well as dressed and undressed flax (traditional local commodities) while growing a wider range of crops.
Europeans also saw another benefit to establishing settlements south of Auckland, their strategic importance.
Franklin had not escaped conflicts (largely between Maori) during the Musket Wars (also known as the Potato Wars) of the early 19th Century, over which access to trade with Europeans was a primary prize. However, later land ownership disputes between Europeans and Maori provided the spark to ignite wider conflict.
While the Great South Road (and the railway which followed) became more synonymous as a trade route, its establishment was instigated by the requirement to transport troops. In the early 1860s, General Duncan Cameron’s army began the largest and most important campaign of the New Zealand Wars, invading the Waikato.
Caught between colonial forces and the Maori Kingitanga in Waikato, Franklin soon became festooned with stockades and redoubts centred along the invasion’s key supply route, the Great South Road. During this time, the area saw conflicts ranging from raids and minor skirmishes to more significant fighting, including at Pukekohe East in September 1863. Many civilians abandoned the region but they would return.
Following the New Zealand Wars, settlement resumed at pace. However, due to land confiscation, Europeans began to play a much greater role in governing and directing future development.
There is much more to recount about the district’s early past, but we hope this short summation will encourage budding historians and new locals to dig deeper, especially with regards to local life in the 20th and early 21st Centuries. There are fascinating books and intriguing local museums all of which can help us remember our past and shape our future.
Acacia Cove is a country-style village situated on the beautiful Wattle Downs Peninsula.
For those who appreciate the tranquility of an estuary setting Acacia Cove has it all, as well as its own restaurant, heated indoor pool, library, bowling green and gym.
Whether you choose to live in a villa or one of our luxurious apartments, you’ll have the security of a 24 hour, fully monitored emergency call system built in.
If you’re aged 60 or over, value your independence but want greater security, come and have a look at the superb properties we have to offer.
Thinking of moving to Franklin but you’re yet to set down foundations? Whether new locals are renting first or diving straight in by buying a new home, it pays to speak to local professionals before dipping one’s toes into the market.
Housing stocks have been on the ‘up and up’ locally, but prices dropped significantly from 2022. Rising interest rates (in efforts to check inflation) have been challenging for first home buyers in particular, but it also means ‘cashed up’ buyers (including many retirees) may hold an extra advantage when negotiating.
As of April 2023, experts were predicting the ‘beginning of the end’ of the price fall, but it will be a while before a ‘new normal’ is established.
Particularly when navigating a tempestuous property market, it pays to have experienced real estate experts on our side and there is no substitute for local insight.
Visit www.realestate.co.nz or www.reinz.co.nz for more about market trends, but don’t forget that Franklin’s estate agents, builders and building suppliers can provide a goldmine of on-the-ground knowledge.
A weekly programme during term time for new parents and their baby. Age appropriate educational discussion topics, sharing of experiences, stories and songs, friendship.
A programme for adults and children experiencing grief and loss. Weekly for 8 weeks during the school term. Small groups.
Weekly meetings sharing experiences and advice Music and free play for pre-schoolers and their caregivers. 9.15am Mon & Fri during school term. Social morning and gentle exercise for the over 65’s. Friendship, activities, gentle exercises. Lunch available for $5. Sessions Tues 9.15am.
Across counters and desks, local shopkeepers and other professionals meet the needs of local people. As our townships grow, we are benefiting from more new shops, from the high street to chain stores, many run by people new to our community.
Professional services have expanded too. We have new doctors, lawyers, travel agents, architects, vets, estate agents and accountants (for example) hanging out their slates. We also have long-established services run by ‘born and bred’ locals who know the area and its people well.
As a result, Frankliners seldom need to venture further than local urban hubs to find almost any product or service under the sun. If we’re in need of anything from a quick ‘pick-me-up’ cuppa from a café or the blueprints for a dream home, we’ll find people with the expertise to assist.
The addition of generous public amenities has also contributed to the growth of our towns, villages and subdivisions. These include new or upgraded pools, sports grounds as well as green spaces. There is plenty for the leisure-seeking individual with much in the way of entertainment. In Pukekohe alone, the Franklin Arts Centre,
Pukekohe Showgrounds, the PIA Centre, Pukekohe Park Raceway and Navigation Homes Stadium are all highly regarded as top-quality entertainment venues. And, we have numerous galleries, theatres and cinemas.
With regards to our most essential needs, health and education, new schools, doctor’s practices, clinics, and even hospitals have, in recent years, ensured locals are healthy and wise. And more are planned as our region becomes home to even more new residents.
Despite urban and suburban development, Franklin is retaining its role as an agricultural hub. For this reason, our towns provide plenty to assist farmers and growers as well as smallholders. Offering everything from tractors and other farm machinery to fencing supplies, water management and even heavy-duty lawnmowers, local experts are on the ground and ready to assist those making a living or just a delightful lifestyle from the land.
Local business associations have been kept busy in recent years as their membership swells; these are often a first stop for people new to the area – whatever your needs, they are sure to point you in the right direction.
– To increase our community’s awareness of community service providers in Franklin
– To offer networking and professional development opportunities for our members
– To provide a hub for agencies to disseminate information, workshops and activities
We meet monthly in Pukekohe. Email CNFsecretary1@gmail.com or see our website for details: www.communitynetworksfranklin.nz
COME ALONG AND FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Traditional or ‘cutting edge’, for prevention, diagnosis or treatment, health services in Franklin have come a long way in recent years. From maternity to aged care, emergency services through A&E clinics to vaccinations at pharmacies and GP practices, in most cases residents will find the right care right here.
Locally, major health providers include:
• Franklin Memorial Hospital (Waiuku)
• Franklin Hospital (Pukekohe)
• Pukekohe Hospital
• Papakura Private Hospital
Nearby Middlemore Hospital and the Manukau SuperClinic continue to provide the mainstay of
mainstream medical services to the wider Counties Manukau region, including Franklin.
However, a health hub is set for construction at the former council offices on Pukekohe’s Manukau Road with a new hospital on the cards in Drury expected to prove a ‘shot in the arm’ for locals.
Aside from regular medical services, we have various complementary and alternative health practitioners and therapists in the area. GPs and pharmacists will help new locals access such services.
Further information regarding major public health centres (including details of the services they provide) is accessible via www.countiesmanukau.health.nz.
A$316 million funding injection is intended to improve healthcare locally through a redevelopment of the Manukau Health Park (Manukau Superclinic). When construction is complete (estimated to be in 2025), it will serve residents across southern Auckland, including Franklin, Dana Ralph-Smith (Counties Manukau Health) contends.
“It is crucial that South Aucklanders can access the care they need from health services to support better health and wellbeing. This redevelopment project will ensure that this access is maintained into the future, by improving the capacity, accessibility and quality of community care.”
More than just a case of adding extra beds, the project will deliver a new ambulatory renal centre, four more
operating theatres, a radiology hub, a women’s and ophthalmology building and an integrated breast-care service.
The number of patients requiring treatment at the centre is forecast to grow by more than 20 per cent over the next decade, Counties Manukau Health’s Dr Andrew Connolly added soon after redevelopment began in February 2023. “The ability to increase staff and patient capacity will enable our teams to deliver an improved patient experience while relieving pressure on Middlemore Hospital. The enhanced super clinic will also provide a better staff experience through improved facilities and technology, encouraging talent from within the Counties Manukau community and beyond.”
Afresh look can help us embrace change as new seasons unfold. Because hair faces differing stressors (from rain and wind to dry or humid air) depending on the season, a consultation with a haricare professional will help us establish the ideal treatment regime. In terms of hair colour, there are some classic seasonal matches:
Autumn: Reds and browns come into their own as leaves fall and the light fades
Winter: Dark shades dominate but warmer hues (such as caramel or honey) and even cooler tones (such as copper blonde) can complement and contrast
Spring: Copper, golden brown, golden red and blonde tones (especially strawberry blonde) return as light levels increase
Summer: Blondes aren’t the only ones to have more fun in the sun! Bright tones are often favoured but silver or platinum streaks make for playful alternatives
Before breaking out the bottle, check with one of Franklin’s top notch haircare specialists. Complexion and eye colour, for example, will heavily influence which colours are right for you. And, seasons change but fashions do too!
Most people want pearly white teeth, delivering a beaming, bright smile. However, tooth loss (by accident or from necessity) can result in further problems too.
That said, should you lose teeth or need to have them extracted, don’t panic because there is an abundance of dentists and other specialists who are ready to assist, with dentures and implants most often the best options.
Although missing teeth can impact on appearance, worse things can happen if they are not replaced. Malocclusion describes a number of conditions which affect the alignment of teeth. One type of malocclusion can occur when missing teeth aren’t replaced.
Teeth alongside gaps can (effectively) move toward each other; this may result in a partial gap and crooked teeth, difficult to clean and maintain. This shift in alignment may also impact the bite and the way food is chewed.
Besides the possibility of having overgrown or crooked teeth, such situations can even result in bone resorption or
bone loss. Without teeth to support the mouth, gums and jawbones begin to deteriorate and bone loss will cause cheeks and lips to look sunken.
In addition, severe tooth issues may lead to infections, which can have wider, serious consequences.
Fortunately, there are options for tooth replacements with treatments varying on a case-by-case basis, taking such issues as how many teeth need to be replaced into account. Replacement options include dental implants, bridges and partial or full dentures. There are many different types of partial dentures, including acrylic dentures, flexible dentures and also vitallium (chrome cobalt) options all available through local experts.
Teeth have important jobs to do. To begin with, simply by making enable us to better chew our food, they help improve digestion, ensuring we receive optimum nutrition from food. And, they also play a part in pronunciation of words, aiding communication even in so simple a task as asking the experts for help.
From daycare through to programmes designed for seniors, education in Franklin is at the top of its class. However, the right first steps are all important.
New locals will find plenty of options for Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Franklin. Providing the foundations of learning and development, ECE centres are located throughout our region, in town and country, handy to workplaces and homes.
Most kindergartens (run by kindergarten associations) are not-for-profit and cater to children aged 2-5 years with set morning and afternoon sessions; privately-run daycares usually provide all-day care suited to babies through to pre-schoolers. In either case, childcare centres are required to employ suitably trained staff and must operate in strict accordance with government regulations regarding such aspects as teacher/child ratios.
From small, country schools to major urban primaries, public and private options abound when children take their first steps in formal educational environments. Public schools fill their roles from local zones. Out-of-
zone enrolments are often available, but places may fill fast so parents who wish their children to attend school elsewhere should look into their options as early as possible. Private and faith-based schools don’t tend to restrict enrolments based on zones, however other criteria (in addition to fees) may apply.
Extracurricular options vary so it pays to look into these before choosing a primary school. While sport is a given in town or country, calf club days (which encourage students to learn more about animal care) are usually only available at rural schools, for example.
When it comes to school holiday and afterschool programmes, these aren’t available through every Franklin primary school, but all should have information to assist busy parents, helping them access such services.
Wherever in our area new arrivals have chosen to set down roots they should be well served when it comes to nurturing young minds. And yet, parents should do their homework to ensure their children chart the right educational course.
If we are what we eat, there must be plenty of young potatoes and onions in Franklin! As the area is a hub for fresh produce, it makes sense to see the children of local growers and green-fingered gardeners alike crack open lunchboxes laden with fresh fruit and vegetables.
As a healthy diet is crucial to learning, parents who don’t make a living from the land or have the time to dig into gardening should seek more advice. Thankfully, there is plenty available to help us ensure our children receive the brain food they need. As one would expect, our local teachers have nutritional guidance in their toolbox, and some schools even give out ‘brownie points’ to youngsters who bring healthy fare for lunch, morning tea and the like.
When it comes to staying in step with the seasons, there are some handy online resources. In particular, visit www.5aday.co.nz. Not only does this site list what’s in season (which can be useful for the health of our budgets too) it features recipes and other tips to make preparing school lunches quick and easy as possible.
To know, to love, to serve. Kia mohio, ki te aroha, ki te mahi.
Welcoming new enrolments, Year 1-8 students
We are a community of faith and learning, who celebrate the whole child and equip them to: honour God, love learning, serve others and fulfil their potential in Christ.
Our Values: STRENGTH – EMPATHY – RESPECT – VISION – ENDURANCE
We provide:
• State-Integrated Full Primary School – Years 0-9
• Non-restricted open zoned enrolment
• A Christ-centred, strengths based local curriculum
• Modern, purpose built facilities set in spacious, natural grounds
Enrolment applications are available online on our website.
To contact the school:
Email: admin@kingsgate.school.nz
Visit: www.kingsgate.school.nz Ph: 09 239 0297
Paparimu School is a vibrant, small, rural school. Our students thrive in our exciting and supportive learning community
• Small class sizes • More “teacher time”
• Focus on individual learning needs
• Strong relationships with wha¯nau
• No school zone
We warmly invite families to visit our school to discuss enrolling your child. Come and experience our small school with BIG benefits!
www.paparimu.school.nz
www.facebook.com/paparimuprimary
Small,
ECE
Term One: Monday, Jan 30 (earliest), Tuesday, Feb 7 (latest) – Thursday, April 6
Term Two: Monday, April 24 – Friday, June 30
Term Three: Monday, July 17 – Friday, September 22
Term Four: Monday, October 9 – no later than Wednesday, December 20*
Term One 2024: Monday, Jan 29 (earliest), Wednesday, Feb 7 (latest) – Friday, April 12
*For primary, intermediate and special schools: or to a day in December that ensures that the school has been open for instruction for a minimum of 384 half-days in 2023. For secondary and composite schools: or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 380 half-days in 2023.
WINZ subsidies available for all qualifying families
Opening Hours 7.00am-6.00pm
29 Queen Street, Pukekohe Ph 09 238 1795
pukekohe@blossomseducare.co.nz
www.blossoms.co.nz
• Beautiful rural setting with plenty of green space
• Innovative and responsive teaching
• A focus on educating the whole child
• Curriculum connects to real world learning supported by a well-balanced digital curriculum
• The arts are used to enhance learning and self-expression
• Large playground, pump track, pool, and forest for exploring
• A pleasant 10 minute drive from Pukekohe
• School Bus route from Waiuku
For more information contact principal@akaaka.school.nz
Ph 09 235 2806 | www.akaaka.school.nz
The doors of Pukekohe Christian School are always open to visitors. If you are interested in finding out more about our school, please telephone and make an appointment. You will find a warm welcome and the opportunity to view the school “in action” visiting classrooms with happy, challenged and focused students, learning the Cambridge Curriculum from a Christian perspective.
Years 1 – 13 82 Yates Road, Pukekohe / Ph 09 238 6449 admin@pcschool.co.nz / www.pcschool.co.nz
Home cooked meals, a little pub grub after the game on Saturdays, or the obligatory Sunday roast, may all be quintessential to the Kiwi diet but there is so much more to munch due to a wide variety of local eateries.
Thanks to its verdant, volcanic soil, our region’s growers produce a cornucopia of fruit and vegetables for our tables, while farmers in Franklin and nearby make a meal of it through meat, eggs and dairy products. What’s more, as we live in a coastal region, we’ve all come to expect fresh-caught fish to be readily available.
Considering we have no shortage of raw ingredients and Franklin’s towns are growing up so fast, it’s not surprising that our eateries are both numerous and varied in terms of the food and beverages they serve.
We have many local clubs and pubs, including the historic Kentish Hotel (Waiuku), Murphy’s Law (Drury) and the fabulous Franklin Club (Pukekohe) to name a few. From takeaways and cafes to quality restaurants, we have options designed to suit any taste or budget.
Specialties at our eateries range from meat and veggies to cultural cuisine from around the world, a homage to our multicultural past and present. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free meals and even keto options are often available on the menu (or on request) too.
And, of course, alongside our courses, we can usually expect a healthy serving of entertainment. Music, trivia, dinner theatre and even bowling (a popular choice at Pukekohe Cosmopolitan Club) all help put the cherry on top of our dining experiences. So, sit back, tuck in and take a bite out of Franklin life!
Anyone for tennis? How about badminton, golf, rugby, cricket, squash, darts, bowls, surf lifesaving, target shooting or even pickleball for that matter? In keeping with the traditional Kiwi affinity with sport, Franklin has no shortage of ways to play.
In addition to hosting top level sports –at such ‘home grounds’ as Clevedon Polo Club, Pukekohe Park, Navigation Homes Stadium and Franklin Pool and Leisure to name a few – our region has numerous sports clubs intended for locals from all walks of life and at all levels of physical fitness or sporting ability.
Doubling as social hubs, our clubs offer opportunities to coaches and other volunteers who’d prefer to assist from the sidelines as well as those of us keen to compete.
Despite the growth of our towns, Franklin remains keenly connected to its rural roots. For this reason, our region has more to offer in the way of such country pursuits and pastimes as hunting, fishing, equestrian and polo, for example, than many others.
Competition may be the name of the game for most but participation simply designed to ensure we stay fit and healthy is the primary goal for others. In this respect, from Pilates and yoga studios to walking groups and gyms, we have much suited to new locals on the move.
The best way to learn more about local sporting and leisure options is to speak with locals or simply stop by the region’s clubs. However, there are many websites (such as www.cmsport.co.nz) providing handy overviews.
No one can talk to a horse, of course! And yet, understanding an animal’s body language is all part and parcel of ensuring they are happy, healthy and well settled.
Owners may have a connection with their animals, but no one talks the talk quite so well as veterinarians. When moving, slow and steady wins the race in helping animals adjust. Household pets, such as cats and dogs, should be microchipped and registered with a local vet as soon as possible. For further advice visit www.spca.nz, and update pets’ details at www.animalregister.co.nz.
When it comes to larger animals, additional expert guidance can go a long way. As it’s still a largely rural area, Franklin has plenty of vets specialising in farm animals.
From the initial phases of acclimatising all creatures great and small to their new environment (where necessary) to ongoing treatment, veterinary specialists will provide a wealth of assistance.
Including Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian and more, faiths originating from many nations have found a home here in Franklin.
A region of settlers in a country of immigrants, southern Auckland has seen people from throughout the world settle in our towns and countryside bringing their spiritual beliefs along with them. As a result, our places of worship are many and varied.
From Saint Patrick’s Catholic and Saint Andrew’s Anglican churches (both in the heart of Pukekohe), to the Vimutti Buddhist Monastery (near Bombay) and many more, centres of theological thought add to our vibrant community culture. While based at churches, mosques, temples and the like, religious groups are active in supporting our community through schools, holiday programmes and youth activities, such as those on offer at Hunua’s famous Camp Adair, for example. New locals are sure to find our most faithful Frankliners will be supportive and welcoming.
St Andrew’s Church
Corner Queen and Wesley St
Holy Communion
Every Sunday 8am and 9.30am
First Sunday of the month 11.15am
St Paul’s Church
Buckland Rd
2nd and 4th Sundays 11.15am
Selwyn Centre Seniors
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.15am
Oasis Music and Playgroup
Mondays and Fridays 9.15am during the school term
Seasons for Growth
For children and adults in grief, runs each term
SPACE for You and Your Baby
Supporting Parents Alongside Children’s Education
pukekoheanglicanchurch@xtra.co.nz
Web:pukekohe-anglican.org.nz
Phone 092387228 or 0274521366
Laying our loved ones to rest is a heart wrenching experience. However, when administered by practiced hands, it can become a time of reflection and solace as grief.
From Papakura to Tuakau, Waiuku to Clevedon, the Franklin district really is blessed by the presence of expert funeral directors.
Catering to people of many faiths, such professionals understand how personal such services need to be. Although standard choices cover everything from venues, caskets and headstones to burial or cremation options, those who have experienced a death in the family will find experts able to adapt to suit specific requests. And, advice is assured too – through referrals to specialist grief counsellors, for example.
At some of the most difficult times in our lives, we have locals on hand to help us through.
Wool fell out of favour with their parents and grandparents, but millennials appear to be taking a ‘back to the future’ approach when choosing carpets as their floor coverings. An increased appreciation of sustainability seems to be behind this trend, Greg Smith from Bremworth says.
“Historically, cost has been a key differentiator in the local market. However, that was before there was widespread recognition of the environmental impact synthetic or plastic products will create for current and future generations.”
New Zealand’s wool product exports (mostly carpet) have fallen in recent years, but forecasts indicate export revenue is poised to step up offshore once again.
“We recognise that, if we can’t educate domestic consumers on the benefits of wool in a country
where it is produced effectively, we will have little chance of growing our offshore markets. [However] research has shown us that the industry is making significant advances on this front every year.”
Should Kiwis continue to favour wool, it could help fuel a worldwide resurgence.
“We know that half of those in the market for renovating or refurbishing their home are now in the millennial age bracket,” Mr Smith adds. “This is a market segment looking to wool for a range of reasons that weren’t priorities for the generations that preceded them.”
Stellar spaces need not be restricted to our homes or rely solely on our DIY skills. Talented landscape designers and gardeners are on hand and prepared to roll up their sleeves. Whether helping envisage outdoor rooms or a major garden overhaul, designers can ensure, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.
Before digging in, take a good look around and decide which jobs require ‘outside’ help. Busy professionals may employ a project manager to source products, book trades and supervise the whole job.
The newly retired or busy professionals may opt to do likewise if the job seems too big for them. On the other hand, those with more leisure time may enjoy sourcing their own materials.
With regards to lifestyle properties, don’t skimp when it comes to specialists! From fencers to arborists and pest control experts, only the best will deliver the best results.
Last, but not actually ‘last’, consider the time and expense involved with maintenance. There’s little point
developing a splendid oasis of any scale if it then falls into rack and ruin. So, take note of which jobs you may tackle yourself and which ones will require the big guns make a return down the track.
A crucial fundraiser for an essential organisation, the Franklin Hospice Garden Ramble (photos from the 2022 edition) provides the perfect opportunity to glean inspiration from keen gardeners. In addition to the biennial ramble, a garden festival is usually held every second year too. Additional information about the festival and ramble is accessible via www.franklinhospice.org.nz.
For many, the move to Franklin may also mean moving to a lifestyle block with enough land to keep a few animals, a small orchard, or simply a large garden. But just a small block of approximately 5-40 acres still requires work, even if it isn’t big enough to operate as a farm.
There will be fences to build and maintain, hedges to cut, possibly a race to build for transporting cattle and other animals. There will, almost certainly, be a need for pens, coops and other animal shelters, as well as sheds to house specialist tools and equipment. In fact, from security to veterinary services, there is a wide range of matters which guarantee potential lifestyle block owners will need to pause for thought.
Fortunately, the Franklin region is home to many businesses that can provide expert advice, products and services designed to help ensure small block owners don’t run into big problems while the animals they support remain in peak condition.
Such land owners may tend to be capable handy persons, but there’s no need for anyone to go it alone, especially those who hold down part-time or even fulltime jobs or run businesses.
Before starting out on any project, and certainly before bringing in animals, seek the advice of knowledgeable and experienced locals. You’ll find everything you need nearby, from vets to experts on animal care and feed right through to services intended to keep your property and equipment in good order.
