The Stories of Franklin
A collection of tales from the people, places, and happenings that make Franklin tick. From local heroes and hidden gems to must-visit spots, makers, growers, and the everyday magic that makes this such a great place to live, work, and play — these are the stories that bring Franklin to life.
If you have a great idea for a story in Franklin, get in touch hello@franklinnz.com
Discover the People and Places of Franklin NZ
A Horticultural Heartland
A decade ago, master nurseryman Graham Windross was looking for fresh pastures for his business to flourish. He settled on the green fields of Clevedon. Graham WindrossExecutive Director at...
Clevedon Farmers Market
The Clevedon Farmers Market, a Sunday tradition, is a must-visit for food lovers seeking fresh, locally grown produce. With over 60 seasonal and permanent stalls offering everything from fresh...
A Land for Rovers
Meet Francis Hewitt It feels like eyeballing the human embodiment of one of the machines he painstakingly restores, alongside his colleagues Mike Blake and Turoa Royal. He exudes the same robust...
Pukekohe
Pukekohe, the high street of Franklin, showcases a handful of beautifully restored historic buildings, now home to inviting eateries and unique spots that celebrate the town’s past.
Clarks Beach gallery
Situated along the southern shore of the Manukau Harbour, Clarks Beach offers a different pace of life – whether for just a few days or for years. Complete with a beautiful coastline, boat club,...
Franklin Hop
Franklin Hop 2026 returned to Clarks Beach, attracting motorists from across the country for a day in the sun.
Culinary Coffee
For more than two decades, the rich aroma of coffees from all over the world have spurred Ria’s learning. Originally from the Philippines, she first entered the coffee industry there. She worked for...
Maraetai Beach
Tucked along Franklin’s eastern shoreline, Maraetai is a seaside township with a charm all its own. Its name, meaning “meeting place by the sea,” reflects its history as a gathering point, where...
Tipene: St. Stephens School
Nathan Durie and Yvette McCauseland-Durie have been described as a “power couple” in Māori Education. The husband and wife team founded Tū Toa school in Palmerston North in 2005 and later Manukura...
A Marriage of Past & Future
Nick Jones and Josephine Elworthy are staunch Clevedoners. Their work invigorates some of the village’s most historic buildings. It's a marriage of business nous, equestrian sport and unbreakable...
Artist in the Orchard
In the heart of Franklin, artist Katie Blundell is cultivating a flourishing artistic practice. Her painted relief works—carved and coloured by hand with meticulous care—explore the collective human...
Pick Your Mix
Jet planes. Milk bottles. Wine gums. Pineapple lumps. Jaffas. Hokey Pokey chunks. Names to set your heart aflame and your dentist on edge. Among the most emotive rituals of growing up in Aotearoa...
Waiuku Township
Where is Waiuku? Nestled between Manukau Harbour and Karioitahi Beach, Waiuku (meaning "brown water") is a quirky township with a rich history. The Kentish Hotel, Waiuku's social focal point, is New...
Past Glories You Can’t Look Past
Just out of his teens William Britton bought a vintage poster for $400, and sold it for $13,500 in the US. Already hooked on treasure hunting his way around New Zealand, he’d hit upon a career....
Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Standing proudly on the tip of the Āwhitu Peninsula, the Manukau Heads Lighthouse has guided ships safely into the harbour since 1874. One of New Zealand’s few remaining timber lighthouses, it marks...
Paella Verduras
Photo supplied by Gautam Narayan by Gautam Narayan Serves 2 - 4 What makes a great Paella? In Spain, Paella is a dish that awakens passions - Spaniards take pride in their national dish! They...
Grow you good thing
Franklin’s Fertile Foundations The area between metropolitan Auckland and the Waikato plains has long served as a food basket: Māori valued the plentiful natural resources and proximity to trading...
Neapolitan Pizza Dough
BY PIZZATA • MAKES 6 PIZZAS Great pizzas start with simple, high quality ingredients – and a healthy sprinkle of passion. Our classic Neapolitan dough is made with just four ingredients – salt,...
Prodigious Son
Photo supplied by Logan Soole At 19 I was skipping college to play Mario-Kart. At that age Logan Soole had done several years of community volunteering and been elected to the Franklin Local Board....
The Art of Community
Catherine Tamihere (Ngāti Wairere, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) has gone from feeling like an ‘outsider’ to making a beautiful mark on her community. Catherine TamiherePukekohe High School Art Teacher...
Happy Trails
The Franklin region is well-endowed with tracks and trails for walkers and bikers and there are options for people of all fitness levels, abilities and interests. Andrew Sinclair of Franklin Active...
In Search of the Perfect Mozzarella
New Zealand's only locally produced buffalo cheese is made right here in Franklin. Clevedon Buffalo Co: From Market Stall to Artisan Cheese Producer Helen and Richard Dorresteyne, founders of the...
Compost Queen
Blue Borage is a Franklin-based consultancy that teaches the art of making exquisite compost. Blue Borage Composting Solutions in Waiuku Katrina Wolff describes herself as an accidental kitchen...
The Coast With The Most
Along the northeast coast of Franklin lies the Pohutukawa Coast – a series of bays, cliffs, and rolling hills sprawling from Beachlands to Maraetai, which are covered in – as you could have guessed...
Steel ‘n’ Wheels
Classic Cars, Hot Rods and Heritage Vehicles Born in 2011 through the Waiuku Business & Development Association and local car clubs, Steel ’n’ Wheels quickly became a flagship celebration of...
Give Us This Day Our Daily Goods
Travellers into Pukekohe might be forgiven for making a few false assumptions about this relaxed street side café. Firstly, if they were after some kind of greasy fry up, they wouldn’t be...
Hūnua Falls Lookout Loop
Tucked into central Franklin, Hūnua Regional Park offers space for a range of activities, including fishing, horse riding, mountain biking and tramping. But, if you're interested in a quick visit...
Kitchen Consequential
Connie ClarksonFounder of The Kitchen Project The Kitchen Project is cooking up something special in Franklin. The initiative is helping local foodie entrepreneurs turn their passion into their...
Fields of Dreams
Clevedon: The Heart of New Zealand Polo In Clevedon, the elite sport of polo is given a friendly Kiwi twist. Here, nestled in the expanding rural community, everyone’s welcome to rub shoulders with...
Paerata Rise
Paerata Rise is a thoughtfully planned township near Pukekohe, blending Franklin's rural charm with a new urban townscape. Designed for diverse lifestyles, it features quality homes, outdoor spaces,...
1 Roulston
Situated in Pukekohe, 1 Roulston began life in 1912 as home to Franklin’s first newspaper and has been serving the community ever since. Following a quick refresh by Eke Panuku, this character...
Ben Bayly’s French Onion Soup
From the kitchen of Origine, Ben Bayly's French onion soup recipe is a rich, flavourful broth that celebrates Franklin's world-famous longkeeper onion. Serves 4 • Prep time 20 mins • Cook time 1...
Nourishing Communities
Gautam NarayanOwner of Nourish Holistic Nutrition Among the dairy fields of Waiuku, Gautam Narayan has created a holistic health oasis. And it’s open to all. Just meeting Gautam is nourishing. From...
Pizza Night Just Got Serious
A pizza-obsessed deli plus informal restaurant where you can buy all the equipment and ingredients to do it yourself. That’s the dream Brad Golchin and his wife Sirpa Gunn have made into reality at...
Franklin’s Top Spots
1. Maraetai Beach My favourite beach in Franklin (not too far ahead of Karioitahi) where you can do everything from swim and relax to launching the boat. 2. Manukau Heads Lighthouse Located at the...
Cleared for Takeoff
How Ardmore is Powering Economic Growth in Franklin. Historical landmark, aviation icon, and growing commercial development, Ardmore Airport is undergoing a moment of exciting transition, growth and...
Wairoa River
The Wairoa River snakes its way across the wild, volcanic landscape of the Hunua Ranges.
Ben Bayly
Ben Bayly, chef and creator of the award-winning Ahi in Auckland’s Commercial Bay, also cultivates a productive garden in Franklin, growing many ingredients for his restaurant. The Longkeeper onion,...
My Franklin – Bill Cashmore
Former Auckland Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore was born and bred in Franklin District, with his family having been there since the late 1800s as sheep and beef farmers in the Hunua Ranges. Bill has...
Duder Regional Park
On Franklin’s eastern edge, Duder Regional Park stretches out into the Hauraki Gulf, a peninsula surrounded by sea and sky. It’s the first part of the region to greet each sunrise, as the day breaks...