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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 …

This year, stories were "flash fiction' 300 words in length, and beginning with the starter, "you wouldn't believe" 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 d…

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, w…

This year, stories were "flash fiction' 300 words in length, and beginning with the starter, "you wouldn't believe" 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 sn…

Memories from a Franklin Photo News Photographer 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 ha…

A year on with Pukekohe High School Principal, Richard Barnett 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 fe…

Building with Navigation Homes. When the Du Toit family embarked on their journey to buy their first home, they knew that they wanted to find a home that would cater for their young family with design features, tick off all the items on their wish lists …

National Gymnastics Championships in October 2019 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.…

50th NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky 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 winte…

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 de…

What's on in September in Papakura HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE FOR SUNDAY 1ST OF SEPTEMBER Celebrating Fashion Week in Papakura We did a bit of a shout out and asked designers if they would like to dress a mannequin to celebrate F…

Most of our readers are too young to remember the great airships that sailed, ever so majestically, across the Atlantic between Europe and the Americas. Those fortunate enough to do so, remember them as a sight never to be forgotten. Probably the best re…

Can you believe it’s August already? Only four month’s and we are back into the silly season again. At the time of writing there is so much interesting material that mainstream press is not covering but commenting on, opinions on opinions, but where are…

Football has long been a poor cousin next to Rugby in New Zealand and Football in South Auckland; (although being the fastest growing sport in our area) has long been at the mercy of the more central Auckland clubs who glean the best players through a pr…

The creative side of the Business Association was put to action with the outstanding mannequin display in Averill Street, in an empty store window. Driven by Paula Schultz, Chair of the PBA, mannequins were dressed and backdrops put in place to creat…

Captain James Cook part 3 of 6 In May 1768, having secured a naval commission, forty-year old Lieutenant Cook was finally given the command of his own ship. Officially, Cook was sent to the South Pacific to observe the Transit of Venus. An accurate calcu…

In today’s world, memories and events are recorded and shared with others in an instant, immortalised in a digital form of forever on any number of social media platforms. During the late 1960’s to early 1970’s the people of Franklin had a different type…

A few weeks ago, the New Zealand Herald carried an article by Dr Douglas Fairgray which seemed to argue that, when it comes to determining the price of houses, supply doesn’t matter. A few weeks ago, the New Zealand Herald carried an article by Dr Dougla…

Due to the 3M sponsored visit of internationally renowned automotive customizer Chip Foose, this year’s CRC Speedshow was set to go off the hook. There were so many attractions to the show which kept the increased public numbers entertained all day. The …

Lewis’ For Fashion is your one stop shop for all things in Men’s fashion. The wellstocked shop is located centrally at 41 King Street, the main street of Pukekohe, with plenty of parking both out the front and out the back. Peter and his professional sta…