Hello, my dear Frankies!

This week has totally reminded me how much I love Franklin. We’re honestly pretty lucky to live in this beautiful little corner of the world (I know I say this approximately 36 times a week - but it's true!)

And writing Dear Frankie each week, I keep finding myself surrounded by the most inspiring people. The kind of people with gorgeous ideas AND the courage to actually do something about them. I can’t believe the rest of the world is just casually walking around without a million brave small business owners building their best lives right in their backyard.

It totally feels like Franklin has more than our fair share of local legends. From mums turning hobbies into fun, thriving businesses…to talented pros like Sarah from Ahoy Studio, taking that big leap to build something that’s so uniquely hers (and so good for our community)…and skilled practioners like Jane from The Whyte Connection, using her heart to create work that genuinely helps people feel better.

So tell me - who are your favourite businesses and local legends right now? I’d love to hear, because I’d love to feature more of them in an upcoming edition of Dear Frankie 💜

R. and The Frankie Team xx

✨🌿 The Whyte Connection: the soft place Franklin didn’t know it needed

If your brain has been running like thirty-six tabs are open and one of them is playing panic at the disco…Jane Whyte is the Franklin local who will teach you how to turn that volume down!

Jane didn’t set out to become the nervous system guru of Waiuku. For most of her adult life, she was doing what so many of us do: working hard, raising kids, building a life full of friends and family and love.

Before The Whyte Connection, Jane spent 19 years working alongside her husband in their two glass companies while raising their three sons. She calls it “many incarnations of Jane the businesswoman”, which is such a lovely description, because don’t we all have a few versions of ourselves tucked behind the current “responsible adult” one?

Then came Sydney, 2013.

Jane was at a convention when an American got up on stage and demonstrated EFT (commonly called tapping). People were being impacted immediately, right there in front of her. But it wasn’t just that immediate wow-factor that grabbed her; it was the why behind it.

“The thing that totally had me as, ‘this is my calling’ was the fact that EFT is all about honouring your truth, being upfront and honest about your thoughts, emotions and feelings,” she told me. “It is totally in alignment with how I authentically live my life. And…I knew that I could help people.”

And she’s not talking about a quick fix or a shiny “new you” promise. She’s talking about doing the kind of work on yourself that makes you feel lighter in your own body, ready to face any big obstacles that come your way.

For Jane, one of the biggest personal changes came from processing her parents’ separation - something that happened over 40 years ago. She’d tried counselling and talk therapy, and while it helped, the feelings would return anytime she heard about another family splitting up.

“Anytime I saw or heard about other families separating…I was immediately pulled back into the emotion of that moment in my life,” she said. Through EFT, she was able to fully process what had kept her stuck back in 1982. “Instead of feeling immense sadness like I was reliving it all again, I’m now able to just have a healthy understanding that it was a very sad moment in my life.”

She didn't have to "rewrite" her story, she just learnt how to stop herslef being yanked back into it all the time.

What The Whyte Connection has grown into

“At its heart, The Whyte Connection is about helping people feel safer, softer and more regulated in their bodies,” she says, “so that [they] can live with more presence, clarity and ease.”

And from that centre, her offerings have expanded into this beautiful little ecosystem - all pointing toward mental health, regulation, and connection:

• One-on-one EFT sessions (and also couples and family support)
• Group relaxation sessions across the area (think: guided nervous system downshifts for people who don’t know how to stop)
• Perimenopause/menopause support (workshops and 1:1 coaching)
• Vision board masterclasses and intention-setting sessions that aren’t fluffy — they’re grounded in nervous system work, so people can actually move toward what they want without melting down midway

And if you’re reading this thinking, I’m curious but also…sceptical, Jane is basically grinning already.

“I LOVE the sceptics!” she says. “Have a yarn with me and see what you think. I have science and evidence out the wazoo that I can share…I get that it’s a bit different, but it’s a great different!”

Honestly, iconic.

Why she built in Franklin

Jane chose to build her business here because she wanted to work from home and stay connected to the community - but what surprised her was how much the community gave back. “What I didn’t expect was the depth of support I’d receive,” she says.

She’s also noticed something brewing in Waiuku, and Franklin as a whole: yes, we’re traditional and practical, but more locals are actively seeking confidential, supportive spaces and real tools for coping and self-regulation. Her work fits here because it’s gentle and grounded - not performative, not preachy, not “fix yourself” energy. Simply - here’s what’s happening in your body, and here’s what we can do about it.

And this is exactly why this Sunday’s Wellness Event feels like more than “just” an event for Jane - it feels like a milestone.

“It feels especially significant for me,” she told me. “It marks the beginning of something new emerging from my work - an evolving offering centred around connection, belonging, and giving people permission to slow down and reconnect with themselves. It feels like a very natural next step for The Whyte Connection.”

Because for Jane, the work has never been about adding more things to your already-too-full plate. It’s about learning how to come back to yourself - and back to other people.

“One of the things I often say — and what really sits at the heart of my work — is: wellbeing doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from learning how to pause, reconnect, and remember that we were never meant to do life alone.”

Support from jane

When asked what she’d say to someone who feels like they’re barely holding it together, she doesn’t launch into a pep talk. She goes straight to the body:

"Breathe out. Drop your shoulders. Feel your feet on the floor. You’re not alone...This moment isn’t permanent. You don’t have to fix everything or see the whole path ahead. Change doesn’t happen all at once – it begins with one tiny step...Just one small, gentle step is all that’s needed to begin moving out of this space."

And if you don’t even know what the tiny step is?

“Reach out…because support is here, and you don’t have to do this on your own.”

And that’s Jane, really. No drama. Just a steady, practical kind of care - ready at the end of a phone call or Instagram message to help out anyone who needs it. More tools, more softness, more people learning how to come back to themselves - right here at home ♥

Jane's group relaxation experiences:

• The Relaxation Hour (first Wednesday of the month at Waiuku Yacht Club, 7pm)
• The Monday Reset Room (third Monday at Hilltop Haven, Otaua, 9.30am)
• The Thursday Exhale (second Thursday at Sanctuary Retreat, Karaka, 9.30am)
• Plus private relaxation sessions in her rooms

Sunday Stretch Sessions: The Wellness Event Edit​

📍 41 Belgium Street, Waiuku
🗓 Sunday 1 March
⏰ 9:00am – 11:30am
💰 $25 • online payment • spaces available - buy tickets here!​

Follow The Whyte Connection on Instagram to stay connected!

wont arqus

Unscramble the letters above to find the Franklin-related phrase! Answer at the bottom of the newsletter!

⚓️✨ Ahoy Studio: Franklin’s secret weapon for seriously good brands and websites

If your business is brilliant in real life but your website/branding isn’t keeping up, meet Sarah, from Ahoy Studio! She's a Pukekohe-based designer and strategist helping small businesses look sharp online and get results.

Sarah does web design, branding, and strategy, and she’s especially passionate about working with local Franklin businesses. The goal when working with Sarah is a digital presence that’s practical and impactful - building a brand and website that helps the right people find you, trust you, and actually book, buy, and call you!

She’s worked across trade and construction, health and beauty, and equestrian, among many more - so whether you’re booking clients, quoting jobs, or selling services, she gets how real businesses actually run.

Check out some of Sarah's work here! It's clean, confident, and built to convert (not just look “pretty”). One gorgeous local example: Harleh Laser Clinic - premium, polished, and easy for customers to navigate and book. (Check it out to see Sarah's magic!)

And one of our favourite parts - Ahoy is intentionally small, meaning you’re not tossed into a faceless “account manager” maze. It’s collaborative, personal, and you’re treated like a human with a business…not just another ticket number ♥

Ahoy Studio is for the local legends who want their online presence to match the quality of what they do every single day. So if you're super busy building a beautiful business, but don’t have spare time to play “brand strategist” at 9pm every night, Sarah and Ahoy Studio is your missing link!

🌐 Website: ahoystudio.co.nz​
📸 Instagram: @ahoystudio (give it a follow for serious brand/website inspo)
🎨 Services: Web design • Branding • Strategy
🧰 Ideal for: Trades & construction • Health & beauty • Equestrian • Local small business legends
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Thursday

🌿 Kawakawa Lip Gloss + Compost Free Workshop​
83 Tahurangatira Rd • 9:30am–2pm
Learn to make kawakawa lip gloss and get stuck into composting skills in one very wholesome day. CHeck it out here​

🎨 After School Art Club​
Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Ave, Pukekohe • 3:15pm–4:15pm
A creative space for intermediate-aged kids to explore different mediums (term focus: natural world + “home” through landscape). More info​

🌮 Thursday Food Trucks Night​
Pukekohe Park Country Racetrack • 4:30pm–8:30pm
Street food dinner fix with Thai, Asian, Mexican, Indian, Greek/Turkish, hāngī, burgers + more.

☕️ Drip Bag Brewers Championship (Round 1)​
Your Local Coffee Roasters • 6pm–8pm
Pizza, drinks, and extremely entertaining coffee-nerd theatre while brewers battle it out. More info here​

🍸 Cocktail Happy Hour​
Little Ed • 6pm–7pm
All your favourites… just a little bit cheaper.

🧠 Quiz Trivia Night​
Blue Ox Babe • 7pm
Bring your brain (or borrow a mate’s) for a classic trivia night.

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Friday

🏁 NZPC Magazine Night Speed Drag Wars R6​
Meremere Dragway • 5pm
Night racing energy, loud engines, and peak “watching cars go fast” joy. Check it out​

🏉 Moana Pasifika vs Western Force​
Navigation Homes Stadium • 6pm
Moana Pasifika’s first home game—expect a big crowd and bigger vibes.

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Saturday

🛍️ Tuakau Community Market​
Central Park, Tuakau • 9am–1pm
Your classic weekend wander: stalls, local goodies, and a good reason to leave the house.

🧶 Waiuku Spinners & Weavers Open Day​
Otaua Bowling Club, 36 Maioro Rd • 10am–4pm
Meet the weavers, see what they make, and have a go yourself. waiukucreativefibre@gmail.com

🔧 Waiuku Repair Café​
Waiuku Zero Waste • 10am–1pm
Fix it, don’t ditch it—bring bikes and household items to be repaired.

🖼️ “Boundaries of Adaptation” Exhibition Opening (Nina Bulgakova)​
Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Ave, Pukekohe • 9:30am–2:30pm
Opening day of a new exhibition—pop in for a browse and a bit of arty inspiration.

🌿 Volcanic Crater Guided Walk​
12 Massey Ave, Pukekohe • 10:30am
Get outside and learn a few fascinating things about what’s under our feet. More event info​

📚 Selwyn Parker Author Talk​
Pukekohe Library • 11am
Local author Selwhyn Parker talking all about his first published book. Check it out​

🚴‍♀️ Bike & Breakfast​
7B Glasgow Rd, Pukekohe East • 8am
Move your body, then reward yourself properly. More details!​

🌸 The Women’s Reset​
6 Adams Dr • 10am
A morning reset designed for women—think wellbeing, reflection, and filling your own cup. Get more info here​

🌿 Dabble in Driftwood​
2141 Awhitu Rd • 10:30am–1:30pm
A creative, hands-on session with driftwood (aka: seaside treasure turned art). It's going to be fun!​

🎶 Theia — Live at Tauranganui Marae​
Tauranganui Marae • 5pm–8pm
Live music in a special setting—go soak up the atmosphere. More info here!​

🕺 DJ Luca (90s & 2000s R&B Night)​
Little Ed, Pukekohe • 7pm–11pm
Throwback after throwback—last time went off, this one’s bringing the R&B heat again.

🕺 DJ Funky T + Coatsville Collective​
Little Ed • 7pm–11pm
Funky house, disco classics, and soulful grooves—no motorway mission required.

🎧 Sacred Sound at Sanctuary​
Sanctuary, 94 Bungard Rd, Karaka • 7pm
A sound experience for nervous-system exhale energy. Don't miss it​

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Sunday

🛍️ Franklin Market​
Pukekohe Park Raceway • 8am
Produce, crafts, antiques, food trucks, live music, and car boot bargains—full Sunday classic.

🏃‍♀️ STRIDE TRIBE Run Club​
21 Martyn St, Waiuku • 5pm
Free, fun, pressure-free walk/run (3km) with community vibes and zero expectations. Follow along​

🧘‍♀️ Sunday Stretch Sessions — Wellness Event Edit (The Stretch Collective)​
41 Belgium St, Waiuku • 9am–11:30am
Stretch classes, special guests, contrast therapy + more (ticketed). Tickets here!​

🔫 The Operator (Airsoft Day)​
58 Bird Rd • 8:30am–3pm
A full day of airsoft action for the tactical (and adrenaline) crowd. More info​

✨ Reiki Share​
473 Whiri Whiri Rd • 2pm
A chill, restorative share session for Reiki folk (or the Reiki-curious). Find out more here​

🐾 Pet First Aid Course​
St John Pukekohe • 9am–3pm
Learn practical first aid for pets—because chaos has four legs sometimes. Don't miss out​

🏁 Waiuku Dirt Track Points Meeting​
Waiuku Dirt Track Club Inc • 10am–3pm
Big engines, big dust, big day out for the grassroots motorsport fans. More info​

🚗 Single Car Sprint​
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park • 10:30am
A sprint event for the speed-lovers—great spectating, great sounds. Check it out​

🥕 Pukekohe Farmers & Artisan Market​
Pukekohe Town Square • 9am–12:30pm
Local produce + artisan treats—stock the fridge and pretend you’re the main character.

🐎 Franklin Hop​
Clarks Beach Domain • 10am–2pm
A horse-y, community day out at the domain—good vibes for equestrian fans. More deets​

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monday

🍳 Good Food, Bright Minds (Free School Brekky)​
Cafe Queen, Waiuku + Sanctuary Retreat • 7am–9am
A collaboration creating a nourishing start for school kids (Mondays during school term). More info on the poster.

🧠 Quiz Night​
Appetite • 7pm
Classic quiz night energy—round up the smartest mate you know.

🧠 Quiz Night​
The Good Home, 65 Edinburgh St, Pukekohe • 7pm
Teams, banter, and booking recommended.

🏃‍♀️ The Wellness Run Club​
Your Local Coffee, Manukau Rd • 5:45am
A 5km loop for all levels—move first, caffeine after (the correct order).

🎲 Board Game Evening​
Otakumart • From 6pm
Free entry—bring your own games or borrow from the collection and vibe out.

🍕 Pizza Class + Dinner in the Deli​
7A Glasgow Rd • 6pm–7:30pm
Learn, make, and eat pizza—education we can all get behind. More event info​

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Tuesday

🎨 Painting Club (Term Time)​
Franklin Arts Centre • 6pm–8pm
Bring whatever you’re working on for two hours of dedicated painting time + artist company.

🏃‍♀️ STRIDE TRIBE Run Club​
21 Martyn St, Waiuku • 7pm
Free, fun, pressure-free walk/run (3km) with community vibes and zero expectations. https://www.instagram.com/janaisdunnfitness/​

🧠 Quiz Night​
Ed Street, 27 Edinburgh St • (time not listed)
Lots of fun, prizes, and a great midweek-ish excuse to get out.

🎨 Painting Group​
12 Massey Ave • 6pm–8pm
Two hours of painting time—bring your project and settle in. Check it out!​

☕️ Coffee & Craft at Your Local Coffee​
173 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe • 12pm–12:45pm
A cute lunchtime craft session—small, cosy, and very doable. Check it out!​

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Wednesday

🏃‍♀️ Flying Mullet Run Group (with Carl Read)​
Waiuku College Running Track • 5pm–6pm
Run technique, intervals, race prep + more ($5 per session). reado79@gmail.com

🏃 Ed Street Bar Run Club​
Ed Street • 5:30pm
2.5km + 5km options, spot prizes, and bar menu discounts.

🧠 Malt N Steel Quiz Night​
Malt N Steel • 7pm
Teams of 2–8, prizes to be won—book ahead.

😂 Comedy Quiz Night​
The Village Bar, Patumahoe • (time not listed)
Free comedy pub quiz with quiz master Jim—call 09 236 3571 to book a table.

🧩 Anti-Social Social Club for Teens​
Pukekohe Library, 12 Massey Ave • 3:30pm
A safe, inclusive after-school hang for teens—be as social (or not) as you like.

🧠 Quiz Night​
Ed Street, 27 Edinburgh St • (time not listed)
More midweek quiz fun with prizes up for grabs.

🧘‍♀️ The Relaxation Hour​
Waiuku Yacht Club • 7pm–8pm
A full hour dedicated to unwinding (the nervous system will thank you). Don't miss it​

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Word Scramble answer: Town Square

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