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LIAM WHITER · 2019 Captain Liam Whiter commits to Franklin United for 2020. Pukekohe local Liam Whiter, with 32 appearances in the red, black and white uniform, 20 in 2019, has signed on for another season. The former Pukekohe High School student has two years of Franklin United First Team experience under his belt and is excited for the upcoming season, already training through the off-season. Coach Mark Holt said, “Liam is a real team…

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, It’s all about understanding · There are very good reasons to see the New Year’s fitness and wellness resolution through. · I’m fairly confident that when Julius Caesar introduced the modern calendar in 45 BC it caused a stir among the Romans to find new ways to outdo each other with promises on how they would make their transition into the New Year worthy. And not a great deal has changed. · And…

Welcome to 2020! We hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New Year and an enjoyable and safe break. WELCOME TO OUR NEW BUSINESSES IN PAPAKURA! · All Done Up in Broadway Unique Fusion in O’Shannesssey Street Cozy Life Kitchens in Broadway Century 21 in Broadway Zarine Hair and Beauty in O’Shannessey Street · INSTAGRAM - LIVEPAPAKURA: · We are now on Instagram … so check us out at LivePapakura and start following the story and the…

For a family-friendly day out or a night to remember, you can’t go further than the Red Shed Palazzo, which is more than just an award winning café. Relax amongst the tranquil garden-setting during the day or check out the hugely popular dinner theatre events which take place regularly and include Faulty Towers, a hilarious night of entertainment, or enjoy the Hotel Ballé Ballé; a murder/mystery show, acted out by a local theatrical company,…

New Zealand is in danger of losing many of its precious heritage buildings as councils and owners struggle to cope with earthquake (seismic) issues and New Building Standards (NBS). Earthquake strengthening is now a huge concern for planners, builders and owners – and, because it’s a public safety issue, rightly so. · Unfortunately, the extent of its impact is only now being realised. · As an example, in Wellington about 600 buildings are…

Last issue, we read of a family being slain in cold blood in the Bay of Islands, and the first test of British justice. Now it’s Part 3 of New Zealand’s Bloody History, the Battle of Pukekohe: our town turned to battleground. In September 1863, the British army charged down the Great South Road, and Ngāti Pou marched north, and in the middle was the scene of the pluckiest and staunchest defence of settler interests in the New Zealand Wars – a…

There are very few of the older generation who have not heard of a de Havilland Mosquito. But few have had the good fortune to see one in the air, although many enthusiasts have seen them as static displays, essentially museum models. No matter when or how you see the Mosquito, you cannot help but be impressed by the beauty and grace of the aircraft. Geoffrey de Havilland and his chief designer C C Walker revealed their true genius in designing…

A South Auckland author who mixes sci-fi with satire has released his fifth book, tackling the topics of the day including corporate culture, immigration, environmental concerns and the election of Donald Trump. · Keith Fenwick of Totara Park, Manurewa, said his books – following the exploits of a Northland farmer named Bruce who is abducted by aliens - are “a bit like The Hitchhiker’s Guide meets Guardians of The Galaxy.” In the latest book in…

The appointment of Mark Holt as Head Coach for the Senior Teams is an exciting one for Franklin United. Here is the statement I made in the club release last week; “Over the last year we have recognised the need to keep aligning our senior team activities, philosophies, culture with our academy operations and when he has been in NZ, Mark has contributed heavily to the academy. We see the appointment of Mark to our senior team as a great fit and…

Cast your mind back to the late eighties/early nineties at Champion Dragway (now Meremere Dragway), a new class of quarter mile drag racing was sweeping the nation – WILD BUNCH! This class essentially took the street appearing two door saloon car and stuffed it full of supercharged methanol fuelled drag racing goodness. Crowd appeal was huge as these cars were something people could relate to in the crowd due to their bodies looking very much…