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How is South American rapid rail technology linked to Franklin? It goes back almost 40 years when a young Kiwi business entrepreneur started offering his new seaweed-based liquid fertiliser to Franklin crop growers and farmers. Kevin Smith was selling it from the boot of his car. He rapidly built a loyal customer base because of the results obtained from his “Response”…

The feedback we had on last month’s Franklin Photo News story was amazing. What an incredible feat to scan all the pages of a magazine that 40 years ago was the social media of the day. The stories that have flown in about the people and events that are featured in the magazine have been both poignant, fascinating and humorous. Imagine my delight then, when one of the original…

From his twelve years at Christchurch’s Burnside High School to now twelve months at Pukekohe High School, Principal Richard Barnett has been leading his school into its new chapter and is feeling positive about its successes and the future. As a new leader, Richard has been transparent about his plans and changes for the school that starts with looking at the legacy of the…

Credited with helping to advance the genre of ‘Confessional Poetry’ in the mid twentieth century; the style of writing that was written in an autobiographical manner and dealt with subject matter relating but not limited to, death, tragedy, trauma and depression, came one of America’s and subsequently Britain’s, brilliant but tortured poet and novelists of that era, Sylvia Plath.

Many people avoid going to the Dentist until they are forced to. Usually, a niggly pain suddenly turns into the toothache from hell, and the visit it not only necessary but urgent! Many people don’t realise that regular check-ups are not only affordable but compared with the cost of a dental emergency far cheaper in the long run. The team at Toothcare Pukekohe know only too well…

When Tania Woods went looking for someone to build her Dream kitchen as part of her house renovation, William from Cutting Edge Cabinetry won her over with his innovative thinking, attention to detail and respect for her ideas. “I knew what I wanted. A French Hampton Country type style kitchen, with quality fittings and perfect cabinetry; white; because it never dates and with a…

The 2019 season is nearly at an end and it has been a challenging yet rewarding season for many reasons. At the start of the year, we decided to focus 100% on local talent at first team and reserve level. For the last three years, we have been nurturing that talent, building their experience and their ability to play. This season they were ready to play in the NRFL Division 2,…

Shane Thomas never imagined he would one day end up becoming a volunteer junior football coach, let alone winning the title of 2019 Regional Junior Football Coach of the Year for Auckland, that is until two years ago when he found himself an unexpected stand in coach for his son’s football game and he’s never looked back. Shane admits that he was a little embarrassed at first (on…

Still believing a Southern Continent existed, and keen to locate it, Joseph Banks pushed hard for a second Pacific voyage. To his disappointment, the Admiralty called on Cook to lead the expedition, with instructions to find a suitable ship. He found two: Resolution and Adventure, which were fitted out for the voyage. Some of the crew employed had sailed with Cook on the…

As someone who has lived in rural Franklin for 20 years, Blackhawk Law Limited’s sole director, Kim-Shiree Grant, has seen immense change in the area. Kim-Shiree is not only familiar with the local farming scene, she's also aware of the way the use of rural properties are changing as Auckland city spreads its tentacles further south with rural properties quickly becoming zoned…

This month, September, a postal vote will occur to elect members to district health boards (DHBs), the governing bodies responsible for overseeing the delivery of health and disability services in your district. It is important to use your vote wisely. Catherine Rose Abel-Pattinson, Colleen Brown MNZM, Geoff Smith and Kathy Maxwell are Team Health. They will deliver Simple,…

For the ninth year running ex pat Yorkshire people have gathered at the Pukekohe Cosmopolitan club during July for a series of traditional Yorkshire Day events. The event, which attracted 120 people this year, was attended by Bill Cashmore the Deputy Mayor of Auckland along with Andy Baker a member of the Franklin local Board. It commenced with the ceremonial arrival of the…

One of the issues almost guaranteed to provoke a strong reaction at many a social gathering in New Zealand is any suggestion that New Zealand should be exporting more bottled water. There have been noisy demonstrations in public, well covered by television news channels, strongly opposed to such exports. One of the commitments made by the incoming Labour-New Zealand First-Green…

It's winter time, which means staying indoors to get out of the bad weather. When you do need to heads out through, you rug up to keep warm and protected from the rain. Before you get on the road, ask yourself is your car prepared for the conditions and had a good service lately? With over 65 years of combined experience in servicing vehicles for the generations of Papakura…

Tuakau-born and bred Abby Sillence is used to hearing jokes about having a “dead-end” job. But it goes with the territory – she’s a Funeral Director at locally-owned Waters Funerals. Working in the industry was something she dreamed about from childhood – which others of her age found unusual. But now her friends are awe-struck at how she handles the role and supports grieving…

You wouldn’t believe it was that easy. In the dead of night, I crept out of my closet-sized room, across the rickety wooden floor. Their door is left open a crack. I peep through; Mother is sleeping peacefully. Her raven hair spread over her ragged, stained pillow. The many lines that crease her face now smoothe in slumber. I hesitate; my throat tightens. The lurch of regret…

You wouldn’t believe that it had never defined me because, once it was gone, I felt its loss immensely. Life is that simple, that complicated. Major decisions at that time focused on where to meet for lunch, what pest was eating the passionfruit vine, which book from the library to read first. Were the grandchildren being exposed to too many electronic gizmos and not enough…

You wouldn’t believe why my grandson doubts my sanity. ‘What did you do in the war, granddad?’ I looked down at my grandson, about to snap, ‘I’m only 68, not 98!’ and then realised, to an eight-year-old, anyone passed middle age must be ancient and had to have fought at Trafalgar. His question, I suppose, arose from all the news about Dunkirk on the television. The end of…

In early October, this year at the Trusts Arena in Auckland, the National Gymnastics Championships will once again bring talented children from all over New Zealand to participate and compete over 5 days. It really is the BIG event in the gymnastics calendar and involves Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline, Tumble & Aerobic disciplines. Franklin Gymsports have 9 children that have…

Four guys from New Zealand recently did a whirlwind trip to the USA in August for the 50th NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Leaving cooler temperatures behind in New Zealand’s winter, the group was blessed with temperatures in the 30 degree range as they touched down in Chicago before heading to Louisville. The 50th anniversary of the National Street Rod…