Hello, my dear Frankies!

Can you believe it’s already Labour Weekend?! It always feels like the unofficial start of the wildest part of the year - that fast, ✨sparkly✨ tumble towards Christmas, markets, and endless social plans. So before things get too crazy, we hope you take this weekend to do something lovely for yourself (and maybe your favourite people, too).

We’ve rounded up a few fun things happening around Franklin if you’re looking for some inspo - from art trails to twilight markets and even a fancy high tea on a steam train 🚂✨

Enjoy the long weekend, friends - you’ve earned it!
And get ready…next week’s Dear Frankie will be our Halloween edition 🎃👻

R. and the Frankie Team xx

🌤 Frankie’s Guide to Labour Weekend in Franklin!

Hello, long weekend, we’ve been waiting for you!

Whether you’re staying close to home or planning a mini adventure, Franklin is kinda packed with things to do this Labour Weekend. Here’s our little round-up of ways to make the most of those glorious three days off 👇

🎨 Franklin Arts Trail - All weekend long!
​One of our absolute favourites! Download the map, jump in the car, and go exploring. The Franklin Arts Trail is your once-a-year chance to peek inside local artists’ studios, meet the makers, and maybe even start your very own art collection. You’ll be surprised at how much creativity is hiding just down the road.

🚂 Glenbrook Vintage Railway - High Tea on the Steam Train​
All aboard! The Glenbrook Vintage Railway is running first-class high tea journeys all weekend. Think: dainty sweet and savoury treats, hot and cold drinks, and an open-air viewing balcony as you chug through the countryside. The 70-minute return trip from Glenbrook is pure nostalgia — and booking ahead is essential for this one!

🏡 Visit the new Home Inspo Design Centre in Pukekohe​
If you love a good home show but wish it was a little more local (and a little less crowded), this is your dream come true. The brand new Home Inspo Design Centre in Pukekohe has just opened, showcasing local businesses, designers, and renovation experts. Perfect if your long weekend plans include a little “future dream home” browsing.

🧶 Shorthand Craft Studio in Grahams Beach​
Feeling like a mini road trip? Take the scenic drive out to the Awhitu Peninsula and pop by Shorthand Craft Studio at Grahams Beach. The Short family makes the most beautiful handcrafted goods — it’s the kind of place you’ll find something unique for your home or get a head start on your Christmas shopping.

🎃 Waiuku Twilight Market on Saturday​
Waiuku’s soon-to-be-famous twilight markets are back this Saturday and going full Halloween! With over 50 stalls, local food, live entertainment, and prizes for the best costumes (you know we love an excuse to dress up), it’s the perfect place to spend a balmy spring evening. Bring the kids, grab a bite, and soak up that small-town magic.

💦 Get outdoors with Franklin’s natural gems​
And of course, there’s nothing like fresh air to make a long weekend feel longer. Go chasing waterfalls - try Mauku Falls, Waitangi Falls, and Maketu Falls for a little “waterfall crawl.” Or lace up your shoes for a hike at the Hunua Ranges or Awhitu Peninsula and soak up those views.

Whatever you get up to, take a deep breath, switch off the work emails, and enjoy this little pocket of time off - Franklin-style. 🌿

Franklin Painting Limited: The locals who will really look after you

If you’ve lived in Franklin for more than five minutes, you’ll know we take pride in our homes around here!

Whether it’s a freshly painted villa in Waiuku, a new-build in Paerata, or that long-overdue touch-up job that’s been sitting on your to-do list since the kids were toddlers (no judgment - because, same), you'll also know that having the right painters makes all the difference.

And that’s where Kim and Matt from Franklin Painting Limited come in.

With over 30 years’ experience, Matt and the team have built their reputation on one simple philosophy: Making your vision our mission.

And the best part of that mission is their ability to provide what they call a “full wrap-around, awesome experience” for every customer.

What does that actually mean?

It means they don’t just turn up with brushes and rollers. They walk the journey with you from start to finish - starting with a detailed proposal of the work you require, helping you choose the perfect colours (because, let’s be honest, choosing “the right white” can actually make you feel like you're going insane), project management with ongoing communication, to the finishing touches that make your home shine, they’ve got you covered.

And it’s not just walls they take care of. Their services include:

✨ Interior & exterior painting
✨ Gutter cleaning
✨ House & building washes
✨ Roof moss & mould treatments

They even work alongside property managers, builders, kitchen fitters, and bathroom installers - creating seamless, high-quality results that make your project feel easy from start to finish.

No job is too small (or too big). Whether you’re doing up a rental, prepping your home for sale, or just want to love the place you live in again, Franklin Painting Limited is your one-stop shop. Because sometimes, a fresh coat of paint is all it takes to fall in love with your home again 💜

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by colour choices or just ready to refresh your space - get in touch with Matt and the team for a free, no-obligation consultation.

📲 021 236 6384
📩 info@franklinpainting.co.nz ��
Or tell them what you want them to do here!
​📲 Find them on Facebook and LinkedIn!

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

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Thursday

🎨 Y Studio (After School Art Group)​
Waiuku Library — 3.30–4.30 pm
A creative drop-in group for high-schoolers to explore art and ideas with Hariata. Free, no booking required.

🧠 Quiz Trivia Night​
Blue Ox Babe — 7 pm
Grab your mates and test your general knowledge at this fun weekly quiz night.

🍜 Food Truck Night Market​
Pukekohe Park Country Racetrack — 4.30–8.30 pm
An eclectic mix of international street eats including Thai, Mexican, Greek-Turkish, Indian, hangi and gourmet burgers. franklinmarkets.com

🏉 Helping Parents & Families Navigate Sport​
PKJ Lounge, Counties Manukau RFU, Pukekohe — 7–8.30 pm
A positive, thought-provoking session on supporting kids in sport. $30 single | $50 for two. Get tickets

🍸 Thursday Cocktail Happy Hour​
Little Ed — 6–7 pm
All your favourites, just a little bit cheaper!

Friday

🍢 Pukekohe Kai Markets​
Roulston Street Carpark — 4.30–8.30 pm
Family-friendly evening market with Thai, Vietnamese, whitebait fritters and more!

🌙 Luna Bites Night Market​
Navigation Homes Stadium Carpark (21 Stadium Dr) — 4.30–9 pm
Street eats, viral bakes, retail stalls and live music. Free entry and plenty of parking.

🎧 DJ Cali Fresh Live​
Little Ed — 7–11 pm
Grooves and bangers all night from the master of smooth mixes and good vibes.

🎸 Crowded Trousers Live Band​
Pukekohe Cossie Club — from 10 pm
80s & 90s hits, dad jokes and banter. Free entry! Event link

Saturday

🧙‍♀️ Waiuku Twilight Market​
Ōhā Car Park, Waiuku — 3–9 pm
Halloween-themed market with over 50 stalls and prizes for best costumes!

🪶 Intro to Plaster Carving & Clay Embossing​
Franklin Arts Centre — 10 am–4 pm
Create your own tile inspired by local waterways with artist Lisa Bate. Koha for kiln firing.

🎶 DJ Cali Fresh Encore Set​
Little Ed — 7–11 pm
A second night of high-energy tunes for Labour Weekend!

💻 Coding Makerspace​
Pukekohe Library — 9.30–11.30 am
Make your own games in Scratch or Python. Ages 7 +, bring your own device.

Sunday

🖼️ Art @ the Port Festival​
Brasells Woolshed & Field, 2181 Tuakau Bridge Port Waikato Rd — 9 am–2 pm
Live music, art, food and fun for the whole family. Event link

🔫 Halloween Theme Open Day @ W.A.R.​
Westcoast Air Ranger Club (58 Bird Rd, Otaua) — 8.30 am–5 pm
Airsoft games for all levels. Hire gear available. Register here

🔔 Sound Bath Healing​
Sunset Beach Community Hub, Port Waikato — 4–5 pm
A restorative hour of sound and stillness. Register at soulovertones.com.

🎵 DJ Sai Funkin​
Little Ed — 7–11 pm
Disco and funky house beats to close out Labour Weekend in style.

🛍️ Franklin Market​
Pukekohe Park Raceway — from 8 am
Fresh produce, handmade crafts and live music. Event link

Monday

❓ Monday Quiz Night​
Appetite Restaurant — 7 pm
Fun quiz night with laughs, locals and great prizes.

🎲 Board Game Evening​
Otakumart — from 6 pm
Relax and play board games old and new. Free entry, everyone welcome!

Tuesday

🎀 Ladies Lunch for Frocktober​
Franklin Club (7 East St, Pukekohe) — 11.30 am–2 pm
Complimentary rural women’s lunch supporting Ovarian Cancer Foundation NZ. Mini fashion show, clothing swap & spot prizes. Register here

🖌️ Painting Club​
Franklin Arts Centre — 6–8 pm
Bring your own project and paint alongside local artists. Term time only.

🏃‍♀️ STRIDE TRIBE Run Club​
Waiuku — 6 pm
A fun, free and pressure-free run or walk for all levels.

🧘‍♀️ Hatha Yoga with Maureen​
Waiuku Lions Hall — 9.30 am
Gentle movement and breath practice with Yoga Collective. More info

🧠 Tuesday Quiz Night​
Ed Street — 7 pm
Classic pub quiz fun and prizes.

Wednesday

💬 Anti-Social Social Club for Teens​
Pukekohe Library — 3.30 pm
Inclusive after-school club with activities and a safe space to hang out.

🧘‍♂️ Vinyasa Yoga with Nigel​
Waiuku Lions Club Hall — 6.30 pm
Flow style class for strength and mobility. More info

😂 Comedy Quiz Night​
The Village Bar, Patumahoe — evening
Hosted by Jim from Crack-Up Quiz Nights. Free to play – call 09 236 3571 to book.

🎯 Wednesday Quiz Night​
Ed Street — evening
Round two of the week’s best pub quiz action!

🎱 Housie Night​
Pukekohe Cossie Club — 7 pm
Last Wednesday of each month – arrive early for a seat.

🪚 MenzShed Grand Opening​
27 Saddleton Rd, Waiau Pa — 11 am–2 pm
Tour the new shed, meet members and see community projects in action.

🪔 Diwali Celebration​
Pukekohe High School — 5–7 pm
Dance performances, culture and delicious food to celebrate the festival of lights.

🎶 Beats by Bingo​
Little Ed — 7.30–9.30 pm
Part bingo, part sing-along – all-round midweek good times!

Word Scramble answer: Vintage Steam

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