Hello, my dear Frankies!

Since starting Dear Frankie, one thing that I'm constantly blown away with, is how our community is so full of inspiring, BRAVE people who are not afraid to work hard for their dreams and build a beautiful little business - and life! - on their own terms.

I’ve met so many brave, gorgeous locals who are dreaming it up, pulling it off, and somehow still showing up to school pick-up in between. It’s wildly inspiring and i honestly feel like I have a front-row seat to the best kind of community glow-up. ✨

Take two of the newest businesses that have been dreamed into existence - Whero Coffee n Kai, and The Iron Yard - two fresh faces with big “we backed ourselves” energy. And that’s kind of the Franklin superpower, isn’t it? People here know how to take a chance, work their butts off, and build something from a scribble-on-a-notepad idea into a real-life place you can walk into ♥

Hope you guys all enjoy this beautiful long Waitangi weekend ahead of us, and get to enjoy lots of cool local events!

Rose and the Frankie Team xx

☕️❤️ Whero Coffee n Kai: coffee, kai, and two mums building something special on the peninsula

Most good things in Franklin don’t start with a business plan - they start with a conversation like, “Surely someone should do this?”

That's how Whero Coffee n Kai started!

Kayla and Mel - two like-minded mums - connected through the local school community and started chatting on social media. Somewhere between the messages and the school pick-ups, the idea took shape: Awhitu deserved really good coffee and kai - the kind of place served by caring people who remember your order, ask about your kids, and hand you a coffee like it’s the lifeline it often is!

And just like that, Whero was born.

❤️ The name that carries the story

Whero is named for the Māori word for red - a colour that speaks to strength and femininity, and a name that fits the energy of the business perfectly. This is a place made by strong women, powered by strong brews, and held together by daily laughter (even when the generator is trying to launch itself into the ocean).

🌊 Why Awhitu Peninsula?

Whero’s roots are properly planted in Awhitu. For Kayla, it’s home - and she’s carried a long-time desire to work in the community, with the locals, in a way that actually contributes. For Mel, the move to Awhitu was part of a much bigger life shift: leaving the corporate world behind, becoming a stay-at-home mum, and choosing a slower, more grounded way of living.

Now that she’s here, she’s not just passing through — she wants to put her roots down too.

And that's the cool thing about Kayla and Mel and Whero - they're not just serving the area - they’re part of it.

🌠Opening day, and the wild first weeks

Whero officially opened on December 20th, 2025, "and the response has been overwhelmingly awesome." Kayla says. The first few weeks have been about finding rhythm: balancing family, coffee, and community (while also learning approximately 700 new things at once).

"Some days flow beautifully. Some days don’t. But it’s real life!" And the cool thing about starting a coffee business is you "show up everyday, make great coffee, and keep figuring it out as we go."

If you’ve ever daydreamed about running a cute little cart, Kayla and Mel would like to lovingly inform you that it also includes:

• 600 hours of trying to get the coffee grind right (turns out, it matters a lot)
• Figuring out which generator won’t blow you away
• Mastering the sacred art of set-up and pack-down
• Doing trial and error in real time, in front of real customers, with a smile

And what's been the best moment since opening?

Kayla and Mel are immediately on the same page: "Hands down the best thing has been the support of our locals, words of encouragement, hugs, high-fives, great reviews and feedback - that’s been the best thing!"

💞A Māori heart at the centre

Whero is deeply shaped by cultural roots.

"Being Maori, both Kayla and I grew up showing love to those around us by opening our homes and feeding our guests. We want Whero to be infused with our cultural roots in our food, drinks and the space we create." Mel tells us.

You’re not just grabbing a coffee. You’re stepping into a little pocket of care, warmth, hospitality - the kind that makes you feel like you belong, even if you’ve only stopped by once!

🍵🥙The “don’t leave without trying this” list

If you need a starting point (or an excuse for a return visit), here are the must-tries:

• Cold drink: Iced Strawberry Matcha
• Hot drink: Flat White (classic!)
• Savoury: The Whero Hangi Panini
• Sweet: Caramello Brownie (small but dangerous - it packs a punch)

✨What’s next for Whero?

Right now, the mission is clear: keep building something reliable and loved by locals, and take the next step toward a permanent setup on the peninsula, so the community can count on it as a true local staple.

From there? Expansion - with a second, more mobile cart that can roll into markets and events, spreading the Whero energy further across Franklin (and beyond).

We can't wait to see the amazing things from these gorgeous wāhine ♥

Follow Kayla and Mel on their journey here!

glolirn shlil

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

✨Are you ready for the kind of reset that doesn’t require you to become a new person?✨

You know that feeling when you’re tired and wired, your digestion is being overly dramatic, your energy has permanently left the chat, and “being healthy” is suddenly a second full-time job?

Yeah, same.

Well, here is the antidote to all of that: an 8-week, all-in-one wellbeing program created by Living Being Well and Kat’s Natural Solutions - built around real life, not perfection.

It’s not “just go harder at the gym” (yawn). And it's not just "eat less, move more" (so 2010). It’s a whole-body reset that bundles the pieces most of us try (and fail) to juggle separately: movement, nutrition, sauna, herbal/detox support, and proper accountability.

🎁 What you actually get:

• VibraTrain sessions (15 mins) ⚡ - short, gentle, scalable sessions designed to support circulation, metabolism, and muscle activation (including for injuries/fatigue).
• Weekly infrared sauna 🔥 - a regular “nervous system exhale” to support recovery, stress regulation, circulation, sleep and energy.
• Targeted supplements and herbal support 🌿 - selected to support metabolism/energy, liver function, hormones, and gut health.
• Simple meal plans and weekly check-ins 🥗 - practical, non-extreme nutrition, plus 30-min support sessions to keep you accountable long-term.

And honestly, the big selling point? It’s not a time-suck. The commitment works out to around 1 hour 15 minutes per week (three short sessions plus one sauna). It’s very “super-busy person who still wants to feel good” friendly.

💛 The vibe

Less “bootcamp punishment,” more “we’re going to help you feel like yourself again.” The testimonials available on their page prove how life-changing this can be.

🧾 Cost + perks

It’s $85/week, or $650 paid in full, with discounts for early sign-up and joining with friends (10% early, 15% for two people, 20% for five+).

This includes all Vibra-Train sessions, sauna sessions, meal plans, supplements/herbs, and weekly check-ins!

If you’ve been hovering on the edge of a reset - not because you need “more discipline,” but because you need a plan that doesn’t require a personality transplant (🙋‍♀️) - this is your sign to jump in.

👉 Find all the details and join here!​

🧱 The Great Brick Competition 2026 - Entries Open! - Calling all young builders of Franklin: The Great Brick Competition 2026 is officially open for entries, with the big build day happening Sunday 29 March at Buckland Hall (18 Logan Road, Buckland, Pukekohe). Three hours build time, plus prizes, and toasties, sausage sizzle and snacks available. More details here!​

🛍️ Represent Boutique - A little style gem for Franklin locals - Represent Boutique is perfect for a browse when you want something fresh, flattering, and a bit special (without trekking to the city). Pop in for new-season finds, easy outfit upgrades, and a good old-fashioned “try it on and feel amazing” moment.

☕ 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

🧠 Quiz Trivia Night Blue Ox Babe, 7:00pm Weekly trivia night—bring your smartest mate (or your loudest guesser).

🍜 Food Trucks at Pukekohe Park Raceway Pukekohe Park Raceway, 4:30–8:30pm Weekly international street food night—Thai, Asian, Mexican, Indian, Greek/Turkish, hāngī, gourmet burgers and more.

🌭 Kahawai Food Truck Night (Food Truck Collective) Kahawai Point Village, Glenbrook, 5:00–9:00pm Coastal food truck night with a pop-up container bar (plus non-alc options). Family-friendly + pet-friendly.

🎧 DJ Luca (Live DJ Set) Little Ed Pukekohe, 7:00–11:00pm A young Auckland DJ on the rise—good tunes, long-weekend energy.

🐶🌻 Doggy Day at Sunshine Fields Sunflower Farm Sunshine Fields Sunflower Farm, 9:00am Bring your pup for a sunflower farm outing (and maximum cute). More details​

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Friday

🎧 DJ Martina Mak (Live DJ Set) Little Ed, 7:00–11:00pm Crowd favourite Martina Mak brings disco, funk, house & R&B vibes.

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Saturday

🛍️ Tuakau Community Market Central Park (corner of George St & Jellicoe Ave, Tuakau), 9:00am–1:00pm Community market wander—easy weekend vibes.

🖼️ Define Gravity: Art Exhibition Opening Day (Tatiana Skorik) 9:30am–2:30pm Opening day for “Define Gravity”. More details​

🌙💘 Moon Bloom Markets (Valentine’s Edition) 2:00–8:00pm Valentine’s market with all the browse-and-treat-yourself energy. Event info!​

🌆 Waiuku Twilight Markets (Waitangi Day Special) Waiuku Rugby Grounds, from 3:00pm Food, ice cream, açaí, craft stalls, plants and more.

🏁 NZPC Magazine Night Speed Drag Wars 5 Meremere Dragway, 5:00pm Night drags are back—bring the crew. More details!​

🎧 DJ Les (Live DJ Set) Little Ed Pukekohe, 7:00–11:00pm The tunes you know, the vibes you missed, and the classic “just one drink” lie.

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Sunday

🛍️ Franklin Market Pukekohe Park Raceway, 8:00am Upmarket-style stalls with produce, crafts, antiques/collectables, car boot bargains, food trucks + live music.

🛍️💘 Paerata Rise Markets (Valentine’s Market) Paerata School grounds & hall, 9:00am–1:00pm Food, artisan crafts, coffee, desserts, handmade toys, jewellery, plants and more.

🔫 Airsoft Open Day 58 Bird Rd, Ōtaua, 8:30am–3:00pm A full-day skirmish-style open day. Event info!​

🧠✨ The Summer Intention Session (Visionboard Masterclass) Waiuku Yacht Club, 1:00–5:00pm Set intentions, get clear, make it pretty. Check it out!​

🏃‍♀️ STRIDE TRIBE Run Club 21 Martyn Street, Waiuku, 5:00pm Free, fun, pressure-free 3km—walk or run, all levels welcome. Follow here!​

🤠 Hoedown at the Club Waiuku Cossie Club, 4:00–7:00pm Yeehaw energy encouraged. Check it out!​

🧘‍♀️ Sunday Sessions (Mat Pilates + HIIT Matwork) Little Batch Wax Co, from 3:00pm onwards HIIT-style matwork then mat pilates with Kelly (Kind Pilates). Book here!​

🎶 Sunday Sessions with Crowded Trousers 3:00pm Live Sunday sounds at Pukekohe Cosmopolitan Club - more details here!

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monday

🍳 Good Food, Bright Minds (Kids Breakfast Collab) Cafe Queen (Waiuku) + Sanctuary Retreat, 7:00–9:00am Weekly during school term. A community brekky to help Waiuku kids start school with a nourishing meal.

🧠 Quiz Night Appetite, 7:00pm Monday quiz night—lots of fun.

🧠 Quiz Night The Good Home Pukekohe (65 Edinburgh Street), 7:00pm Weekly quiz night—booking recommended.

🏃 The Wellness Run Club Your Local Coffee (Manukau Road), 5:45am 5km loop, all levels welcome.

🎲 Board Game Night Otakumart, from 6:00pm Free entry—bring your own games or borrow from the collection.

🍕 Pizza Class + Dinner The Deli at Pizzata (7a Glasgow Road), 6:00–7:30pm Make pizza, eat pizza, live your best life. Book it in!​

🏈 Super Bowl XL Live on the Big Screens Karaka Sports Park, from 12:00pm onwards Big screen viewing party vibes. Check it out!​

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Tuesday

🏃‍♀️ STRIDE TRIBE Run Club 21 Martyn Street, Waiuku, 7:00pm Free, fun, pressure-free 3km—walk or run, all levels welcome. Follow along!​

🧠 Quiz Night Ed Street (27 Edinburgh Street), Lots of fun and prizes.

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Wednesday

🧠 Quiz Night Malt N Steel (Waiuku), 7:00pm Teams of 2–8, prizes to be won.

😂 Comedy Quiz Night The Village Bar (Patumāhoe), 6pm Free to play—book a table on 09 236 3571.

🧠 Quiz Night Ed Street (27 Edinburgh Street), from 6pm, Lots of fun and prizes.

🏃 Ed Street Bar Run Club Ed Street (27 Edinburgh Street), 5:30pm 2.5km or 5km options, spot prizes + bar menu discounts.

🏀 Free Basketball Program for Girls (8–15 yrs) Franklin Pool & Leisure, 4:00–4:40pm Runs for 4 weeks—skills, teamwork, confidence-building.

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Word Scramble answer: Rolling Hills

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