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"Think Waiuku + surrounds are boring? You haven't signed up for Dear Frankie yet!"

Weekend glow-up: Flowers, bubbles and more events you can shake a stick at 🌸πŸ₯‚πŸŽ‰

Published 23 days agoΒ β€’Β 6 min read

Hello, my dear Frankies!

Franklin is blooming and buzzing this week! We’ve got two gorgeous features: the annual Waiuku Flora Fest - think roses, floral magic, and clever green-thumb inspo - and the Beauty & Wellness Expo in Pukekohe, where you can sip, shop, and glow your way through an afternoon of demos and treats. And because Christmas is peeking around the corner, the event calendar is about to go full sparkle. Markets, concerts, community days - ’tis officially the season of β€œadd to calendar.” Dive in, line up your weekend plans, and let’s make the most of the silly-season swirl together.

In other exciting Frankie news - we're on the lookout for locals who'd love to become honorary Frankies - who'd love to attend events, participate in taste testing, and visit cool local businesses on our behalf - there are so many people, places and events, we can't keep up, and we don't want our readers to miss out! It's in the works at the moment, but if you like the sound of it and want some more info, reply to this email and you'll get first dibs!

R. and the Frankie Team xx

Waiuku goes full Flower Power this weekend 🌼

Waiuku’s prettiest weekend is back!

Florafest (with the Franklin Rose Society’s Annual Rose Show) bursts into bloom at St Andrews Centre, 85 Queen Street, on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 November, 10am-4pm. Think thousands of roses, creative floral displays, kids’ art, hands-on workshops, boutique stalls, a bring-and-buy, and plenty of tea-and-chat with garden people who could talk petals all day long β™₯ It's also supporting a great local cause - all proceeds go to supporting Waiuku Family Support Network.

Friday: speakers + roses in full glory

The Rose Show opens to the public from 12pm Friday (post-judging) - bring your camera to capture all the how-are-they-even-real?! blooms. Friday also features a star speaker line-up: horticulture icons Lynda Hallinan and Jack Hobbs, plus butterfly/moth expert Jacqui Knight from the Moths & Butterflies of NZ Trust. Talks are $10 total for all three - wild value for plant nerds and the plant-curious alike.

(Psst: Lynda's on at 10:30-11:30am, Jacqui 12-1pm and Jack 1:30-2:30pm; grab a seat early!)

Saturday: make + take creativity

Two hands-on workshops to unleash your inner botanist:

  • The Sensory Art of Natural Perfumery with Pauline Livesey (Leafy Hollow Botanicals) - Sat 10:30am-12:30pm. Craft a bespoke scent and learn a dash of perfume history. $45.
  • Magnolia Magic: Ink Pen & Watercolour with Kathy Chase - Sat 1:30pm–3:30pm. Gentle instruction, gorgeous results, great for beginners. $45.

How to Florafest like a local

  • Timing tip: If you can't make it to see the speakers on Friday, do a Friday lunch dash to see the champion roses right after judging, then circle back Saturday for a slower wander and a workshop.
  • Bring a tote + coins: The bring-and-buy and boutique stalls are dangerously tempting, and koha entry means small notes are handy.
  • Ask the experts: Lynda, Jack, and Jacqui are walking encyclopedias; line up your thorny questions (pun absolutely intended).
  • Good cause glow-up: Every cuppa and raffle helps Waiuku Family Support - feel good while you flower-shop.

Need-to-knows

Where: St Andrews Centre, 85 Queen Street, Waiuku​
​When: Fri 14 & Sat 15 Nov, 10am-4pm​
​Cost: Koha entry; Speakers $10 (covers all Friday talks); Workshops $45 (book fast - limited spots).

esor ondrag

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

The Beauty & Wellness Expo, with Living Being Well ✨

Pukekohe, something sparkly this way comes!

Spend your Saturday with Living Being Well, floating between beauty, glow-up treats, and good vibes. Think:

πŸ’‰ Beauty, skin & injectables

πŸ’†β€β™€οΈ Holistic health & energy healing

πŸ’‹ Fashion & hair with live demos

πŸ₯‚ PLUS! Bubbles, grazing, and giveaways to keep the sparkle levels high β™₯

Extra sprinkles: free tooth gems, Reiki healing specials, and an Ultimate Goodie Bag draw. Yes please!

πŸ“ 7 East St, Pukekohe
πŸ—“ Saturday 15 November | 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
🎟 Tickets are limited - grab yours now or DM to secure your spot: https://form.jotform.com/252936845164062​

Go for the glow, stay for the goodies. πŸ’«

πŸ’¦ Parched As Bulk Water - Pool looking thirsty? Get it summer-ready with a fast fill from Parched As. Local, reliable bulk water for top-ups or full fills. Call Parched As to lock in your delivery - 021 616 130

πŸŽ„βœ¨ Christmas at Buckland Hall - Tickets are live now at bucklandhall.nz/christmas. Book & pay by 30 Nov to snag a FREE Santa’s Snow Photo (snow machine + props!). Lunchtime features Franklin’s Got Talent finalists, plus an 18m mega obstacle course, toddler castle, ball pit, popcorn, candyfloss, Tip Top Popsicles, and a tasty lineup for lunch!

β˜• Have you read Coffee News this week? - Pick up a copy in your favourite cafΓ© or scan the QR code to read on your device

πŸ‘‰ 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

🍹 Cocktail Happy Hour​
Little Ed | 6–7pm
All your favourites… just a little cheaper.

🎨 Y Studio (Teens 13+)​
Waiuku & Pukekohe Libraries | 3:30–4:30pm
After-school creative club exploring different art mediums. Drop-in, term time.

🧠 Quiz Night​
Blue Ox Babe | 7pm
Classic pub trivia with bragging rights.

🚚 Food Trucks at the Track​
Pukekohe Park Country Racetrack | 4:30–8:30pm
International street food lineup at competitive prices. More: www.franklinmarkets.com​

Friday

🧠 Cure Kids Quiz Night w/ β€œDark Destroyer” Shaun Wallace​
Navigation Homes Stadium | 7pm
Six rounds of trivia, Q&A with Shaun, auctions & raffles for Cure Kids. Tickets here! ​

🌸 Waiuku Flora Fest (Day One)​
St Andrews Centre, 85 Queen St, Waiuku | 10am–4pm
Flower Power! Rose show, floral displays, kids’ art, stalls & Friday guest speakers Lynda Hallinan, Jack Hobbs & Jacqui Knight. Koha entry; speakers $10. Fundraiser for Waiuku Family Support.

πŸ’» Waiuku Coderspace (Ages 7+)​
Waiuku Library | 3:30–4:30pm
Fortnightly coding club (limited to 10). Register: franklinoutreach@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

🏁 Night Speed Drag Wars 2 (Double Points)​
NAPA Auto Parts Dragway, Meremere | Gates 5pm; Racing from 6:30pm
Street-legal drag racing classes, family passes available. Rules & details!​

🎸 Bunch of Fives – Live at The Kentish​
The Kentish Hotel, Waiuku | Evening
Rock & pop favourites from The Clash to Billie Eilish. Free entry. More info!​

🎧 DJ Night at The Longkeeper​
The Longkeeper, Pukekohe | 9:30pm–12:30am
DJ Kobe on the decks + flaming shots.

🎢 DJ Martina Mak​
Little Ed, Pukekohe | 7–11pm
Funk, soul and feel-good beatsβ€”city vibe without the Uber.

πŸ” Food Trucks in Town​
Roulston Street Carpark, Pukekohe | 4:30–8:30pm
Street eats from Thai to hangi. More details!​

Saturday

πŸ›οΈ Christmas Artisan Market​
Franklin: The Centre, Pukekohe | 9:30am–1:30pm
Handmade goodies by local artisansβ€”coffee, gifts, support local. Event deets​

🐴 DRNZ Champs β€œFun-Raiser” Poker Run​
Waiuku Forest (Wilson Rd) | From 10am; Prize-giving 2:30pm
Teams of three, relaxed social ride raising funds for 2026 champs. No vetting required. Check it out!​

🏑 Victoria St West Open Weekend​
80 Belmont Rd, Pukekohe | 12–4pm
Tour completed Mike Greer Homes, free coffee, BBQ giveaway & bouncy castle. Also open Sunday. Check out more here​

πŸŽ… Pukekohe Lions Christmas Grotto (Opening Day)​
Pukekohe Showgrounds | 2–8:30pm
Meet Santa, light show, crafts & more. Gold coin; supports Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Info here!​

🎡 Beats By Bingo – Christmas Edition​
Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club | 7pm
$5 per person. Register: admin@waiukucossie.co.nz

🎀 Classic Hits Night​
Elsie’s Bar, Tuakau Hotel | 6pm–late
All your favourite songs from the 60s–90s. Free entry.

🧒 KW x Stirling Sports Style Session​
Stirling Sports Pukekohe | 4–5:30pm
Mini runway, 25% off storewide, spot prizes & giveaways. Event details :)​

πŸŽ„ Decorate for Good (Mai Lighthouse Fundraiser)​
The Christmas Heirloom Company, Pukekohe | 3–5pm
Pro tips on trees, wreaths & centrepieces; proceeds to the Smiles Appeal. Tickets here!​

🎸 PARTY ROCKERS – Live Band​
Ed Street Bar & Restaurant | 9:30pm
Good tunes, good vibes.

🎧 DJ Funky T​
Little Ed, Pukekohe | 7–11pm
High-energy funk, disco & house to level up your Saturday.

Sunday

🌽 Franklin Market​
Pukekohe Park Raceway | From 8am
Produce, crafts, collectibles, live music & bites.

πŸ›’ Glenbrook Country Market​
Corner Glenbrook Rd & Glenbrook Station Rd | 9am–2pm
Stalls, vintage finds, kids’ funβ€”raising funds for Waiau Pa Fire Station. Event deets​

🏑 Victoria St West Open Weekend (Day Two)​
80 Belmont Rd, Pukekohe | 12–4pm
Explore family-friendly new builds with freebies for the whanau.

🧘 Sound Bath & Cacao Ceremony​
Belgium Rd, Waiuku | 2pm
Cacao ritual, crystal bowls & Reiki for deep reset. Book here​

🧢 Waiau Pa Central Market​
571 Waiau Pa Rd | From 9am
Crafts, food, bakery & live music vibes.

monday

🍸 Gin Tasting Dinner​
The Good Home Pukekohe | 6:30pm (doors 5:30pm)
Six gins, one cocktail, four canapΓ©s, main & dessert. How good?! Event details!​

🧠 Quiz Night​
Appetite | 7pm
Monday trivia fun with prizes.

🎲 Board Game Night​
Otakumart | From 6pm
Bring a game or use the library. Free entry, chill vibes.

Tuesday

πŸ–ŒοΈ Painting Club​
Franklin Arts Centre | 6–8pm
Two hours of dedicated art time; connect with other locals. Term time.

πŸ‘Ÿ STRIDE TRIBE Run Club​
Waiuku | 6pm
Walk or run 3kmβ€”fun vibes, zero expectations. Get all the info here!​

🧘 Hatha Yoga (Maureen, Yoga Collective)​
Waiuku Lions Hall | 9:30am
Gentle flow for strength & mobility. More info!​

🧠 Tuesday Quiz Night​
Ed Street | Evening
Plenty of laughs and prizes.

Wednesday

🍻 Malt N Steel Quiz Night​
Malt N Steel, Waiuku | 7pm
Teams of 2–8, prizes up for grabs. Book here!​

πŸ˜‚ Comedy Quiz Night​
The Village Bar, Patumahoe | Evening
Free to play with quiz master Jim. Book 09 236 3571.

🧩 Anti-Social Social Club (Teens)​
Pukekohe Library | 3:30pm
Safe, inclusive hangout with rotating activities.

🧘 Vinyasa Yoga (Nigel, Yoga Collective)​
Waiuku Lions Club Hall | 6:30pm
Midweek flow. More deets​

🧠 Wednesday Quiz Night​
Ed Street | Evening
Your midweek brain-teaser.

πŸŽ„ Franklin Club Xmas Market​
Franklin Club Inc | 6pm
Annual festive marketβ€”everyone welcome.

Word Scramble answer: Rose Garden

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

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Queen St, Waiuku, Auckland 2123
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