Hello, my dear Frankies!

There’s quite a bit bubbling away behind the scenes at Dear Frankie at the moment, so I thought I’d give you a little peek.

First up - I recently sat down with Jess from Your Local Coffee and Bakery for a little interview about where Dear Frankie came from and how it all started. I’ll be honest…being on the other side of things was mildly terrifying and definitely confirmed what I already knew: I’m much happier writing a newsletter than talking in front of a camera 😂

Next week, we kick off something I’m really excited about - four weeks of giveaways celebrating some of the incredible businesses around Franklin. Each week there’ll be a different prize pack filled with goodies and experiences from local legends.

We’re starting with a Self-Care pack, thanks to Little Ed, Little Batch Wax Co., The Pause Society, Recovery Lane, Franklin Beauty Collective, Your Local Coffee and Rimu Gully. Honestly, putting this together made me realise again how lucky we are to have such a creative, generous bunch of businesses around here ♥

There’s also something new in the works for local content creators 🤗 So many of the photos, reels and little snippets of Franklin life we all enjoy online come from people in our own community. We’d love to support that more and help connect creators with local businesses and events.

If you’re someone who already shares local content - or you’ve always thought it might be fun to start - you can join the Frankie Squad by filling out this form! There are a couple of fun opportunities coming up straight away if you’re keen to get involved.

Ok, that’s enough from me!
Settle in, have a scroll, and see what’s happening around Franklin this week ♥

R. and The Frankie Team xx

p.s. If you're in Waiuku over the next few (hopefully warm and sunny) weeks, check out the smoothie bowls now available at Scoopeez! Acai-banana and tropical flavours available!

Run, Walk, Chat, Repeat: Franklin’s Social Run Clubs 🏃‍♀️☕

Somewhere along the way, running stopped being a solitary, slightly punishing pasttime and turned into a social event (thank god because running alone is torture). And Franklin has really embraced this movement with enthusiasm! There are now pockets of people across the district meeting up before work, after work, and sometimes before the sun has even fully decided to show up (ok, that's still a little crazy to me), all for the simple act of moving their bodies together.

And the interesting part isn’t really the running. It’s the people behind the run clubs, and the small communities that form around them.

Two of those clubs are doing something particularly lovely in our little corner of Franklin.

🏃‍♀️☕ The Wellness Club Run Club

At 5:45am on Monday mornings, a small group gathers outside Your Local Coffee on West Street.

This is not a time when most people feel particularly heroic. It’s dark in winter, a little chilly even in summer, and the snooze button is really calling our names. But every week, a happy little crew shows up anyway.

The club was started by Sam Kimber from The Wellness Club after a series of very relatable conversations with clients in the sauna at the club. Sam wanted to start running again, but like many people, found it really difficult to do alone, and craved a little bit of accountability. It turned out quite a few others felt the same way. They liked the idea of running…just not alone!

So the Monday morning run club was born.

The group runs a 5km loop, but everyone goes at their own pace. Small clusters naturally form as people settle into conversation. Some people run regularly, others are still finding their feet. The whole point is that no one is left behind.

Sam says the most rewarding part has been watching people support each other through something that is actually quite difficult.

It’s easy to stay in bed when the alarm goes off at 5:30am. But showing up together - and knowing there are others going through the same shut-that-alarm-up! thoughts - makes it feel possible.

The runners themselves are a real mix - beginners, regulars, and people who mostly come because it’s a good excuse to get outside and start the week with fresh air and a bit of company. There’s even a shorter 4km option for anyone easing into things.

Afterwards, many wander back to Your Local for coffee. By then the sun is up, the kilometres are done, and the week somehow feels a little more manageable ♥

For Sam, that’s exactly what the club is meant to be: a small community that begins the week with movement, encouragement, and a reminder that doing hard things together feels pretty good.

📸 Follow The Wellness Club on Instagram now!

🏃‍♀️☕ Together We Move Run club

If Monday mornings belong to The Wellness Club crew, Tuesday and Thursday evenings belong to Jess and Abel from Together We Move.

Their run club looks a little different each week. One evening the group might be exploring a new track somewhere around Franklin, another week they might return to a favourite route. Sometimes they’ve even experimented with Saturday mornings.

Jess laughs that the whole thing began as a bit of an experiment.

Abel loves running. Jess prefers walking. Instead of choosing one or the other, they decided to create something that worked for both of them - a flexible, social club where people could move however they liked.

Distances usually sit somewhere between 3-6km, but the structure is deliberately loose. Some people run. Plenty walk. Others mix the two. The goal isn’t speed - it’s showing up!

The group has grown into a wonderfully mixed crowd. A few runners like to push the pace, but many people come simply to get moving after work, clear their heads, and spend an hour outside with good company.

The ages span from kids right through to people in their seventies, which Jess says is one of her favourite things about the club.

Jess works in health at Bay Audiology, while Abel works in the trades, so movement and wellbeing are already big parts of their lives. Running the club has become a way to share that with others - and to keep themselves motivated too.

And the real magic happens in the connections.

Jess says some of the people who first joined the group had only recently moved to Franklin and didn’t know many people. Over time, friendships started forming. People began meeting up outside of the club. Running buddies became real-life mates.

Jess and Abel also love the creative side of running the group - mapping new routes, exploring different corners of the region, and partnering with local businesses as the club grows.

Over the next few years, they’d love to see the community expand, with more social events and collaborations popping up alongside the runs.

But one thing they’re determined to keep is the welcoming atmosphere.

Starting something new can feel intimidating, especially when it involves running shoes. Jess says they try hard to make sure that anyone who shows up for the first time feels instantly comfortable.

The only real requirement is turning up ♥

📸 Follow Together we Move on Instagram!

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What’s striking about these two run clubs (and the two featured next week!) is that none of them are really about running.

They’re about meeting people, getting out of the house, exploring Franklin, and creating small pockets of community in places you normally just pass through witho9ut even noticing.

And it turns out that when people move together - even at a very relaxed pace - friendships tend to form somewhere around kilometre three.

So come back next week where we’ll introduce two more Franklin run clubs doing the same thing: building community, one run at a time ♥

repxole narnilkf

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

🧱 Clay Date with The Best Potter in the World - Madison North Cowper will be running a dynamic Pottery Workshop on Saturday, March 14th from 11-3pm at Ed Street Restaurant and Bar in Pukekohe.

Whether you’re a total beginner or a more experienced clay hound, this is a chance for you to get your hands dirty in a beautiful and supportive setting under the guidance of an experienced craftswoman.

This relaxed and playful workshop will focus on the making of a variety of hand built vessels such as tea-ware, mugs and vases, and includes all materials, firing, glazing, a beverage & even a meal!

Take the first step to igniting your passion for pottery or reignite an old flame at these intimate, inspirational ceramic experiences. Book your ticket now!​

💃 Bollywood Dance Classes! - Six weeks of FREE Bollywood dance classes! A fun, new way to move and groove with Bollywood tunes! Check out more info below:

☕ 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

🎨 After School Art Club
Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe | 3:15–4:15pm
A creative space for intermediate-aged kids to explore art. Term 1 focuses on landscape and the natural world. Booking required. More info here!​

🧘 Exhale with The Pause Society
Sanctuary Retreat, 94 Bungard Rd, Karaka | 9:30–10:30am
A relaxing weekly wellness session to help you pause and breathe.

🏊 Move Over Cancer – 12 Hour Cardio Challenge
Franklin Pools and Leisure | 7am–7pm
A charity cardio challenge raising funds in the fight against cancer. Check it out!​

💧 Water Slide and Colour Run
372 Blackbridge Road | 5:30pm
A fun outdoor water slide and colour run event. All the details here​

🍜 Food Trucks at Pukekohe Park Raceway
Pukekohe Park Country Racetrack | 4:30–8:30pm
International street food including Thai, Mexican, Indian, Greek/Turkish, hangi and gourmet burgers at competitive prices.

🎉 Quiz Trivia Night at Blue Ox Babe
Blue Ox Babe | 7pm
Fortnightly pub trivia — come along for a fun night out!

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Friday

🏎️ NZ Performance Car Magazine NS Dragwars #7
Meremere Dragway | 5:00pm
High-performance drag racing event. More info here!​

🍽️ Salvation Army Community Meal
3 Tobin St, Pukekohe | 6pm
A free community meal open to all, with games, bouncy castle and live music! Check it out!​

🎵 DJ Les – 80s, 90s & 00s Night Little Ed, Pukekohe | 7–11pm DJ Les spinning timeless anthems and classic throwbacks all night long.

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Saturday

🛍️ Tuakau Community Market
Central Park, corner of George St and Jellicoe Ave, Tuakau | 9am–1pm
Local community market with a range of stalls and produce.

🧺 Karaka Market
113 Harbourside Drive | 9am–12:30pm
Indoor and outdoor stalls with food trucks, crafts, produce and artisan wares.

🪴 Macrame Pot Plant Workshop
352 Kingseat Road | 10:00am
Get hands-on and learn the art of macrame to create your own plant hanger. All the details here​

🖨️ Rock, Paper, Stamp! Printmaking Session
Franklin Arts Centre | 10am–12pm
A hands-on printmaking workshop with artist Rose Meyer. More info here!​

🏺 Pukekohe Pottery & Dining
27 Edinburgh Street | 11:00am
A unique combination of pottery and dining. Check it out!​

🍱 Food Waste Busters Workshop
5 Hosking Place | 2–3pm
Learn practical tips to reduce food waste at home. All the details here​

🧵 Quilt Show for Franklin Hospice
Valley Primary School | 10am–4pm
A beautiful quilt display raising funds for Franklin Hospice. Runs Saturday and Sunday. More info here!​

🎭 All Aboard Variety Show
Waiuku War Memorial Hall | 5:30pm
A variety show raising money for Waiuku Coast Guard Search and Rescue. Check it out!​

🎵 DJ Luca – 90s & 2000s R&B Night
Little Ed, Pukekohe | 7–11pm
DJ Luca brings smooth R&B classics for a night of singalongs and good vibes.

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Sunday

🌅 Pilates on the Courts
Pukekohe Tennis Club | 8–9:30am
A morning of movement, connection and breath with The Wellness Club, The Breathing Physio and matcha by Drink Brewe. All the details here​

🏪 Waiau Pa Central Market
Waiau Pa | 9am
Local market with a range of stalls and produce. More info here!​

🛒 Franklin Market at Pukekohe Park Raceway
Pukekohe Park Raceway | 8am–1pm
Homegrown produce, handmade crafts, antiques, food trucks, live music and car boot stalls. More info here!​

🎯 Open Airsoft Game Day
58 Bird Road | 8:30am–3:00pm
Open game day for airsoft enthusiasts of all levels. Check it out!​

🍕 Neapolitan Dough Master Workshop at Pizzata
7A Glasgow Rd | 10:30am
Learn to make authentic Neapolitan pizza dough with the team at Pizzata. All the details here​

🧵 Sustainable Wearable Arts Workshop
5 Hosking Place | 11am–12pm
Get creative with sustainable materials in this wearable arts workshop. More info here!​

🎪 Pukekohe Adoption Centre 1 Year Anniversary
15 Austen Place | 11:00am
Celebrate one year of the Pukekohe Adoption Centre! Check it out!​

🧵 Quilt Show for Franklin Hospice
Valley Primary School | 10am–4pm
Continues from Saturday — a beautiful quilt display raising funds for Franklin Hospice. All the details here​

🪤 Waiuku Predator Trap Library Open Day
5 Hosking Place | 2–4pm
Learn about local predator trapping and conservation efforts. Check it out!​

🏍️ Waiuku Dirt Track Points Meeting #8
Corner of Hill Road and Eastern Drain Road, Waiuku | 10am–3pm
Dirt track racing points meeting — exciting motorsport action. All the details here​

🏃 STRIDE Tribe Run Club – Waiuku
21 Martyn Street, Waiuku | 5pm
A free, fun and pressure-free 3km walk or run for all paces. More info here!​

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monday

🍳 Good Food, Bright Minds – Free Kids Breakfast
Cafe Queen, Waiuku | 7–9am
A community collaboration providing nourishing breakfasts for school kids every Monday during term.

🧘 The Monday Reset Room – Founding Session
507 Whiri Whiri Road | 9:30–10:30am
A brand new weekly reset session to start your week right. Check it out!​

🏃 The Wellness Run Club
Your Local Coffee, West Street | 5:45am
A 5km loop open to all levels — a great way to start the week.

🎲 Board Game Evening at Otakumart
Otakumart | 6pm
Bring your own games or try something from their collection. Free entry, everyone welcome!

🍺 Quiz Night at Appetite
Appetite | 7pm
A fun weekly Monday quiz night.

🍺 Quiz Night at Good Home Pukekohe
Good Home, 65 Edinburgh Street | 7pm
Weekly Monday quiz night. Booking recommended.

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Tuesday

☕ Coffee Cupping at Your Local Coffee Roasters
173 Manukau Road | 10-10.30am
Explore and taste a range of coffees in this guided cupping session. All the details here​

🎨 Painting Club at Franklin Arts Centre
Franklin Arts Centre | 6–8pm
Bring whatever you're working on for two hours of dedicated painting time. Connect with other local artists. Term time only.

🏃 STRIDE Tribe Run Club – Waiuku
21 Martyn Street, Waiuku | 7pm
A free, fun and pressure-free 3km walk or run for all paces. More info here!​

🍺 Quiz Night at Ed Street
27 Edinburgh Street | Evening
Lots of fun and prizes up for grabs.

🍀 St Paddy's Day at The Monarch
1 King Street, Pukekohe | from 5:30pm
Live music from The Oak, food and cocktail specials, and plenty of cold Guinness!

🍀 St Paddy's Day at Little Ed
Little Ed, Pukekohe | All day
Jameson drink specials and Irish-inspired menu faves. Dave Alley playing Irish singalongs 5–7pm.

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Wednesday

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

🏃 Ed Street Bar Run Club
Ed Street Bar | 5:30pm
2.5km and 5km options with spot prizes and bar menu discounts.

📚 Anti-Social Social Club for Teens
Pukekohe Library, 12 Massey Avenue | 3:30pm
A safe, inclusive after-school space for teens with fun activities. All welcome — social or not!

🎸 Comedy Quiz Night at The Village Bar
The Village Bar, Patumahoe | Evening
Free to play comedy pub quiz with quiz master Jim. Call 09 236 3571 to book.

🍺 Malt N Steel Quiz Night
Malt N Steel, Waiuku | 7pm
Teams of 2–8, prizes to be won! Check it out!​

🍺 Quiz Night at Ed Street
27 Edinburgh Street | Evening
Lots of fun and prizes up for grabs.

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Word Scramble answer: Explore Franklin

p.s. If someone awesome sent you this email and you want to subscribe yourself, sign up here 👉 dearfrankie.co.nz​