Hello, my dear Frankies!

This week’s a little bit special…because the school holidays are officially knocking on the door 🎉

We’ve pulled together a very comprehensive guide to what’s on around Franklin - think workshops, holiday programmes, shows, sports, crafty bits, painting, tiny miniatures, and a whole lot more. It’s impressive how much is happening…there’s something for every kind of kid, which means no bored kids allowed 🙃

We also caught up with Fi from Printifique Studios and got a proper look behind the scenes at how it all started. After hearing about her background, it makes total sense why Printifique is quickly becoming the spot for custom apparel around here.

AND we’re right in the middle of Week Three of Frankie Fest - aka your excuse for a very good date night 💅

This one is stacked. Picture this: you kick things off with a massage at DB Remedial Massage, fresh lashes at Franklin Beauty Collective, flowers from Poppy in April (because obviously), and a couple of craft beers from Aka Aka Brewing. Then dinner at Little Ed, followed by gelato from Sparrow and Sweet. Honestly…someone plan this for me immediately.

Make sure you jump over to Instagram to enter - this one’s too good to miss.

Next week we’re back to our usual programming, but for now…soak up the holidays, get out and about, and we’ll see you out there 💛

R. and The Frankie Team xx

P.S. Make sure you check out the Brush with Fame art exhibition by local artist Patrick Murphy. On now at Franklin Arts Centre. It's very cool ♥

🗓️ No bored kids allowed! Your Franklin holiday program guide

School holidays are here, and Franklin is absolutely packed with things to keep the kids busy, curious and having a blast! Whether your little ones are into making, creating, gaming, dancing or just getting out and about, there is something for absolutely everyone over the next two weeks ♥

We've pulled together everything we could find - from free puppet shows to 3D printing, baby sharks to Warhammer - so you can plan ahead and make the most of it. Many events are free or low cost, so get in quick and bookmark this page.

Happy holidays Frankies! 🌟

🛠️ Workshops

🧸 Soft Toy Sewing Workshop -- eco fest

📅 Wednesday 8 April, 10:30am — Waiuku Library, 10 King St
📅 Tuesday 15 April, 10:30am — Pukekohe Library

Thread a needle and bring a plushie to life! Kids can get creative sewing their very own soft toy in this hands-on crafty session held at two libraries across the fortnight.
🔗 Waiuku session | 🔗 Pukekohe session​

👕 Zero Waste T-Shirt Bags — Eco Fest

📅 Wednesday 9 April, 10:30am — Waiuku Library
📅 Thursday 10 April, 10:30am — Pukekohe Library

Turn an old t-shirt into a reusable bag! Part of the Eco Fest, this workshop is a great way to get kids thinking about waste while making something genuinely useful.
🔗 Waiuku session | 🔗 Pukekohe session​

🧙 Magic: The Gathering Commander

📅 Monday 7 April & Monday 14 April, 2:00–4:00pm — Waiuku Library

Calling all card game enthusiasts! Drop in for some Commander format Magic: The Gathering — a perfect holiday activity for fans of strategy and fantasy.
🔗 More info​

⚔️ Warhammer 40K Taster Sessions (Ages 12+)

📅 Tuesday 8 April & Tuesday 15 April, 2:00pm — Pukekohe Library

New to Warhammer? Come along for a learn-to-play session the first week, then come back to do battle! A two-week mini-campaign for budding strategists and sci-fi fans.
🔗 Book tickets​

🎨 Mosaic Art Craft — Eco Fest

📅 Sunday 13 April, 10:30am — Waiuku Library

Get stuck into a colourful mosaic art session as part of the Eco Fest. A fun and tactile way to create something beautiful from small pieces!
🔗 More info​

🏺 Mason Jar Craft — Eco Fest

📅 Sunday 13 April, 10:30am — Pukekohe Library
📅 Monday 14 April, 10:30am — Waiuku Library

Decorate and transform a mason jar into something special! Part of the Eco Fest lineup, this craft session runs at both libraries over the long weekend.
🔗 Pukekohe session | 🔗 Waiuku session​

🌸 DIY Paper Flowers — Eco Fest

📅 Monday 14 April, 10:30am — Pukekohe Library

Bloom where you're planted! Kids can craft their own paper flowers in this eco-friendly creative session. A lovely one for little hands.
🔗 More info​

🖨️ Make a Mini Workshop (Ages 9–16)

📅 Wednesday 9 April, 2:00–4:00pm — Design your mini
📅 Wednesday 16 April, 2:00–4:00pm — Paint your mini
📍 Franklin: The Centre, Pukekohe Library & Kunning Kobold

Design your own 3D-printed hero in week one, then come back to paint it in week two! A brilliant two-parter for young makers and tabletop fans.
🔗 Book on Eventbrite​

🦈 Little Labs: Sharks & Insects — Eco Fest

📅 Thursday 17 April, 3:30pm — Waiuku Library

Dive into the wild world of sharks and insects in this fun science session for curious kids. Who knew bugs and ocean predators had so much in common? Find out!
🔗 Book on Eventbrite​

🎉 Events

⛸ School Holiday Roller Disco

📅 Tuesday 8 April, 4:00–7:00pm — Franklin Roller Sports

Lace up and hit the rink! The school holiday roller disco is back, and you can even hire skates on the night. Great fun for all skill levels — wobbly beginners very welcome.
🔗 Book tickets at www.franklinrollersports.com​

🚂 A Day Out with Thomas

📅 Friday 11 – Saturday 12 April — Glenbrook Vintage Railway

All aboard! The famous blue engine is coming to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a very special school holiday visit. A magical experience for Thomas fans big and small.
🔗 More info​

💃 Kids Disco

📅 Saturday 12 April, 4:00pm — Pukekohe Cosmopolitan Club, 78 Neilson St

Get those dancing shoes on! A dedicated kids disco at the Cossie Club — expect big tunes, bright lights and lots of showing off your best moves.
🔗 More info​

🐦 Waiuku Shorebird Craft Session & Bird Count

📅 Sunday 13 April, 2:00–4:00pm — Waiuku Yacht Club

A lovely mix of nature and creativity — head down to the Waiuku Yacht Club for a shorebird craft session and then help count the birds in the wild. Budding ornithologists, this one's for you!
🔗 More info​

🎭 The Girl Whose Twin Was a Bird — Free Puppet Show

📅 Thursday 17 April, 10:30am — Waiuku Community Hall
📅 Thursday 17 April, 3:15pm — Franklin Arts Centre

A free puppet show — how wonderful! Catch this magical performance at two venues on the same day. Perfect for young audiences who love storytelling, imagination and a little bit of wonder.
🔗 Waiuku show | 🔗 Franklin Arts Centre show​

📸 Pop In Photo Day

📅 Wednesday 16 April, 9:00am–12:00pm — Buckland Hall

Get the kids (and maybe the family!) snapped in a lovely portrait session. A relaxed pop-in format so no need to stress about timeslots — just turn up and smile!
🔗 More info​

📌 Holiday Programs

🎵 Turn It Up — Pukekohe Holiday Programme

📅 Tuesday–Friday (check dates), 9:00am–3:00pm — The Stevenson Room, Franklin: The Centre, Pukekohe

A full holiday programme packed with music and performance for kids who love to express themselves. A great structured option for the school holidays with something happening every day.
🔗 More info & bookings​

🎵 Turn It Up Express — Waiuku Holiday Intensive

📅 Monday–Tuesday (check dates), 9:00am–3:00pm — Waiuku Community Hall

A two-day intensive version of Turn It Up, right here in Waiuku. Ideal for young performers wanting a focused, energetic holiday experience without commuting to Pukekohe.
🔗 More info & bookings​

🏀🏉 Franklin Basketball x Counties Manukau Rugby Multisport Camp

📅 13–16 April, 9:00am–3:30pm
👦👧 Boys & girls, ages 8–15
📍 Franklin Pool and Leisure
A brilliant multisport mash-up from two of the region's top sporting codes! Kids get to try basketball and rugby skills in a fun, active camp environment. A great way to get moving, make friends and discover a new favourite sport.

🤸 CrossFit Pukekohe Kids Holiday Programme

📅 7–17 April, 11:00am–3:00pm
📍 CrossFit Pukekohe

Packed with games, fitness challenges and loads of fun, this is the perfect way to keep the kids active and entertained across the full two weeks. Spots are limited so get in quick!

📧 info@crossfitpukekohe.co.nz

💪 RX Fitness 235 Waiuku — Kids & Teens Holiday Classes

📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays for two weeks
🕑 2:00pm — ages 8–11 | 3:15pm — ages 12–17
📍 RX Fitness 235, Waiuku

Basic movement skills, fun games and challenges, team-building activities, and confidence and coordination development — all in a supportive, energetic environment. A fantastic option for kids and teens in Waiuku.

📧 info@rxfitness235.co.nz to secure your spot

⭐ Special Mention

🐣 Rise & Shine Holiday Fun

Rise & Shine is pulling out all the stops these holidays with two weeks of daily activities for the kids — from Easter egg hunts to face painting, cupcakes to balloon twisting. Here's what's on each day:

Week One
​Monday — Easter egg decorating, 10am–2pm
Tuesday — Easter crafting, 10am–12pm
Wednesday — Cupcake decorating, 10am–12pm
Thursday — Face painting, 10am–12pm
Friday — Balloon twisting, 10am–12pm

Week Two
​Monday & Tuesday — Inflatable obstacle course, all day 🎉
Wednesday — Face painting, 10am–12pm
Thursday — Cupcake decorating, 10am–12pm
Friday — Crafting session, 10am–12pm

🥚 Daily egg hunt with a prize — running 1st–6th April. Don't miss it!

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

🎨✨ Meet Printifique Studios (aka your new go-to for custom everything!)

If you’ve ever wanted custom tees, hoodies, or merch that actually looks good (and not like it’s been printed in someone’s garage in 2007)…let me introduce you to Printifique Studios.​

Run by Fi, a Pukekohe local, this home-based studio is already becoming the spot for custom apparel across Franklin and beyond.

And my favourite part - this isn’t just a business - it’s a full life pivot!

After 18 years working in Human Resources, and working for large international media and fashion houses, Fi made the leap this year into something completely different…and completely her ♥ Where she used to move in fast-paced, high-expectation environments overseas, moving home to Pukekohe with her new family meant she wanted to build a life with a slower pace; to reconnect with the creative side she'd pushed aside for years (how many of us can relate to that?!), and have more time with her family.

Swapping policies and paperwork for prints and creativity, she’s built Printifique Studios from the ground up, and you can feel that energy in everything she creates.

At the heart of her work is DTF (Direct to Film) printing, which basically means:

• Super crisp designs
• Vibrant colours that actually last
• The ability to print on a wide range of fabrics

Fi has already worked with a mix of local and non-local businesses, helping bring their branding to life in a way that feels polished, wearable, and actually exciting to put on.

But it’s not just for businesses. Fi also creates custom merch for clubs, teams and events - whether it’s uniforms, group gear, or something fun for a special occasion.

And if you’re not quite ready to design your own, she’s also created a range of ready-to-buy pieces on her website, including creative kids apparel and seasonal designs like Christmas or Bridal tees (or, our personal favourites - the cocktail collection!).

Of course, no matter who you are, what makes Printifique Studios special isn’t just the printing - it’s the care behind it.

You’re not just sending off a logo to a faceless site and crossing your fingers. Fi works with you to make sure it comes out looking exactly how you imagined - if not better.

So, if you’ve been thinking about getting something printed, this is your sign to do it properly.

Go see Fi.

💫 Find Printifique Studios

🌐 Website: www.printifiquestudios.co.nz
​📸 Social Media: Instagram and Facebook​

🎨 Ara Design Pottery Workshop - Get your hands dirty (in the best way) at The Stable Light Gallery on 11 April. You’ll learn hand-building techniques like coiling and pinching while creating your own organic, one-of-a-kind piece! All materials are provided, and you’ll walk away with something uniquely yours (ready to collect after firing). Tickets here!​​

☕ Have you read Coffee News this week? - Pick up a copy in your favourite café or scan the QR code to read on your device:

👉 Want a featured note on the notice board? - Simply book your feature here or just send us a quick email and we'll help you out!

Thursday

🥁 West African Style Drum & Dance: A World of Cultures Event
10 King St | 4:00–5:00pm
Experience the rhythm and movement of West African culture. More info here​

🎨 After School Art Club
Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Ave, Pukekohe | 3:15–4:15pm
A creative space for intermediate-aged kids exploring the natural world through art. Check it out!​

🀄 Housie
78 Nelson Street | 2:00–4:00pm
Come along for a fun session of Housie! All the details here​

🧘 Waiuku Tai Chi
10 King St | 9:30–10:30am
Weekly tai chi sessions. More info here​

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Friday

Good Friday! Enjoy your long weekend!

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Saturday

🧼 Soapmaking from Scratch Workshop
66 Duff Road | 10:00am–12:30pm
Learn to make your own soap from scratch. Check it out!​

🐴 Welsh Pony & Cob All Welsh Show
Pukekohe Showgrounds, 58 Station Rd | 9:00am
A showcase of beautiful Welsh ponies and cobs. All the details here​

🌱 Crop Swap Pukekohe
12 Massey Ave | 1:30–3:00pm
Swap your homegrown produce with other local gardeners. More info here​

🚗 Peak Panel & Paint Nostalgia Drags
Meremere Dragway | 7:00am
Classic drag racing nostalgia action. Check it out!​

📸 Motherhood Mini-Sessions with Marie Clare Creative
Sandspit Beach | 20-minute sessions
Capture the bond between mum and kids with a beautiful set of 8 photos. Email marieclare.creative@gmail.com to book your spot.

🐣 Easter Treats Day at The Secret Waterfall Cafe and Garden
The Secret Waterfall Cafe and Garden | 9:00am–3:00pm
Dress up and win prizes, fun Easter games, cookie decorating and kids' Easter lunch boxes available. All the details here​

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Sunday

🏁 Petrolhead Team Champs Drag Racing
Meremere Dragway | 7:00am
Team championship drag racing action. More info here​

🔫 Open Airsoft Game Day
58 Bird Road | 8:30am–3:00pm
Open airsoft games for all. Check it out!​

🎵 Live Acoustic with Mitch French
Waiuku Cossie Club | 3:00–6:00pm
Relax and enjoy live acoustic music.

🧘 Sunday Stretch Sessions with The Stretch Collective
RxFitness235, 42 Belgium St, Waiuku | 9:00am
A 45-minute guided stretch session. Check it out!​

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monday

🎮 Easter Game / BBQ / Airsoft
58 Bird Road | 8:30am–3:00pm
Easter fun with airsoft games and a barbecue. All the details here​

🏃 The Wellness Run Club
West Street (local coffee shop) | 5:45am
A 5km loop for all levels.

🎲 Board Game Evening at Otakumart
Otakumart | 6:00pm
Free entry — bring your own games or try something from their collection. Everyone welcome!

🧠 Quiz Night at Good Home Pukekohe 65 Edinburgh Street | 7:00pm Booking recommended.

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Tuesday

🏃 STRIDE TRIBE Run Club 21 Martyn Street, Waiuku | 7:00pm A fun, free 3km run/walk for all paces and abilities. More info here​

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Wednesday

🔨 Warhammer 40K Tester Session (12+)
12 Massey Ave, Pukekohe | 2:00–4:00pm
Try out Warhammer 40K in a guided tester session. Check it out!​

🐾 Fetch a Friend
12 Massey Ave | 10:00–11:00am
A community connection event. All the details here​

🧠 Malt N Steel Quiz Night
Malt N Steel, Waiuku | 7:00pm
Teams of 2–8, prizes to be won! More info here​

🎭 Comedy Quiz Night at The Village Bar, Patumahoe
The Village Bar | 7:00pm
Free to play — call 09 236 3571 to book your table.

🔥 Fire Station Run Club
Waiuku Fire Station | 5:30pm
2.5km and 5km options, spot prizes and bar menu discounts.

🏃 Flying Mullet Run Group with Carl Read
Waiuku College Running Track | 5:00–6:00pm
Run technique, intervals and race prep. $5 per session — contact Carl at reado79@gmail.com.

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Word Scramble answer: Happy Easter!

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