We’re a little bit country…………and a little bit city savvy, too……… with a whole lot of heart!!!
Category: Beachlands
……and here we are again…almost summer….almost Christmas!
WOW!!! Franklin is once again showcasing a great deal of things to do and places to be over the next few weeks – just to start the summer season!!
Our area is quite a vast rural one, on the outer edges of what is now the Auckland Supercity, (not too far from the airport) but also taking in the Northern edge of the Waikato region, so we do have lots around – the west and east coast beaches are great for surfing and swimming (when the weather is fine), but also fantastic to walk along and take in the sounds, smells and sights at this time of year.
Right now we can also enjoy (well many of us can!!) a long weekend with fun times at the local Glenbrook Vintage Railway. This weekend is their opening weekend for the season and there will be fun aplenty for all ages,, including a country market day on Monday! 
Our local Pukekohe Performing Arts group will help bring back memories of a bygone era with their production of “Grease,” showing until Sunday.
Then there’s the local markets, an Orchid fair and the amazing Blast to the Past at Waiuku!
Heaps of great accommodation choices too – motels, hotels, campgounds, B&B’s – you name it!! along with dining experiences of all sorts!
If that isn’t enough to get you interested, then just wait and keep an eye out for more happenings in the region – including the V8 Supercars – only a matter of weeks away now!!! and with Christmas looming ever closer, there’s always the Christmas display to help get into the swing of things to come .
Franklin………our changing face
Franklin – our wee patch of NZ, like many others I guess, is ever changing, as the years move on…….
Just one instance is –
Pokeno, our neighbour down the road in the Northern Waikato part of Franklin, has been through many changes over the years – going from a fairly busy village as per our photo, to an area by-passed by the modernisation of the highway/motorway and now back again towards being a busy town with it’s new and increasing housing areas.
The town also has Yasihili, the new Infant Formula Factory, being built. It will be interesting to see how this helps to build the region with employment, visitors and growth in general!
Yashili is part of a major group that leads the dairy market in China. To help us achieve our preeminent position there, we have been a longstanding importer of New Zealand milk powder. Now we are taking that one step further – we are not just sourcing our milk powder here; we are producing our finished goods here. Our $200 million investment in Pokeno focuses on the development and construction of a 30,000m2 manufacturing plant. Our annual production capacity of around 52,000 tonnes of infant formula products will supply the rapidly growing and increasingly demanding Chinese market.To help us achieve our potential in New Zealand we are looking for the brightest and best people in dairy manufacturing to come on board with us. We have job opportunities in manufacturing, supply chain and quality management. Come and join us and be part of our team that is putting Kiwi expertise on the world’s stage.Yashili is one of the “big three” producers of infant milk formula for the domestic market in China. Our two leading brands, Yashily and Scient, and the more recently introduced Merla brand account for more than 80 per cent of Yashili Group’s total business. Yashili is also one of the leading suppliers of soymilk powder, cereal, rice flour and milk powder for adults and teenager to the Chinese market. Our products are sold in just over 105,000 retail outlets in China. In July 2012, we were named among the top 500 Most Valuable Brands in China for the ninth consecutive year. Yashili Group employs over 5000 people and reported an annual turnover in 2011 of NZ$566 million. We are publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In June 2013, China Mengniu Diary Company announced plans to acquire Yashili Group. Mengniu, China’s largest producer of liquid milk products, is part owned by China’s state-backed agricultural and food industry supplier COFCO.
Building Future Capacity
China’s infant formula market is expected to grow to NZ$32 billion by 2017, according to Euromonitor data. The increasing demand for infant milk formula is being driven by families shifting from rural locations to the cities, a stable birth rate, more mothers going out to work, and increases in disposable income. The challenge for Yashili and other manufacturers is to keep pace with demand while maintaining a high level of quality control. That’s why we have looked to New Zealand and its internationally recognised expertise in the manufacture of quality milk powder to build our newest dairy processing. Yashili already promotes the high quality of New Zealand-sourced milk content in our premium brands. We have imported milk powder from New Zealand for over 10 years and we have used New Zealand milk powder exclusively in our infant milk formula since August 2010. Now we are adding further value to our product with Kiwi manufacturing expertise, and the support of the country’s skilled labour force.
around Franklin
around Franklin Country with a few more pics
So come stay and play here in Franklin Country – there’s along weekend coming up waiting for you!!
Franklin’s Fresh Taste
Well – the time has arrived!
Franklin‘s very own special Taste Fest is on here at Karaka on Saturday 21st March. It should be a great experience.
Some info about the show from one of our local papers –
Come stay and play at our place in Franklin for a great getaway!!
…and here we are – 2015!!
Where DID 2014 go?
The beginning of a new year with new plans and prospects. Franklin is no different in that respect as we have such a lot on the agenda again this year! BUT we do have such awesome events.
If you are a racing fan, then the end of this month at Hampton Downs (officially in the North Waikato, but we still call that area our southern Franklin!!) is the Fifty Plus Formula 5000 lineup
An unprecedented turnout of Formula 5000 cars looks set to secure the 2015 Gulf Oil Howden Ganley Formula 5000 Festival’s place in motorsport history as one of the largest ever gatherings of the iconic race cars.
The organisers are confident fans will see 50 plus of the V8, 10 and V12 powered machines, with cars covering all years of the F5000 formula’s life, and most if not all of the manufacturers who built cars for the series which ran in various guises in the USA, Europe and Australasia between 1968 and 1982.
The 2015 event – which stretches over the weekends of January 16-18 and 23-25 at the Hampton Downs circuit in the North Waikato – is a celebration of both the Formula 5000 type of racing car and driver Howden Ganley. Unheralded Kiwi Ganley’s story is a fascinating one that took the former team mechanic to sports cars, F5000 and the dizzy heights of Formula One.
It also marks the first ‘Formula 5000 World Series’ – the champion of which will be crowned after the last race of the second weekend of the Festival. At least one full grid of Formula 5000s will race during the Festival, and that could mean as many as 35 of the earth-shaking single seaters roaring around the Hampton Downs track almost five seconds a lap quicker than the best ‘V8 taxi’ is capable of
..and while you’re over this way, why not stay awhile and head to Waiuku for the Movies in Parks Rocky Horror Picture show on the 16th Jan? 
February, on our calendar here in Franklin has the “Splore Festival” at Tapapakanga Regional Park. So get set for summertime fun and music by the water!
Simply put Splore is a boutique music and arts festival like no other.
In March we have some celebrations of the area and our own Taste Festival…so keep an eye out for more info here AND get your accommodation booked (if you can!!) and come stay a while !!
Growth in Franklin – and it’s Challenges!
The new Auckland Super city certainly has its challenges to make sure that all areas are looked after in the best ways possible………
…and Franklin Councillor, Bill Cashmore has his work cut out for him!!
Quoted from a local publication :
House sections are appearing out of green fields in Pukekohe, Beachlands, Patumahoe and of course the well publicised Wesley housing expansion, and now Clevedon too. Pukekohe’s area planning process has been well run and a successful example of community engagement. Well done to the Franklin Local Board and to the community for their input and guidance.
..but with gridlock in Manukau Road, trucks backed up on the eastern arterial, constant streams of traffic on the Maraetai-Whitford Road, the challenge now is for all of the Council family to work together to get the roading planned and built, the storm water sorted, the waste water capacity made fit for the purpose and future proofed where possible, and the reticulated water in place. This is a massive piece of work with a massive budget attached to it……… The bottom line is funding – where it comes from and the timing of the funding stream………..Bottom line: housing, business growth and the associated infrastructure must be the number one priority.
Take a walk on the …….walkway
It may not be the wild side but you can still take a walk on one of our many walkways
Get your boots or shoes on and come to our patch to take a leisurely stroll or hard out hike, whatever takes your fancy.
The development of a network of walkways in New Zealand grew from an
idea, promoted in the early 1970s by the Federated Mountain Clubs of
New Zealand Inc. to develop a walking track the length of the country.
When legislation was passed in 1975 the intention was to create an arterial
route from North Cape to the Bluff, with branches east and west throughout
the country. It was quickly realised that developing sections, some of which
could later form part of the main artery, was more practical than focussing on
the mammoth task of creating a single 1770-kilometre walkway.
Now, over 25 years on, a walkways network has been established with over
125 walkways totalling about 1200 kilometres.
The Minister of Conservation has overall responsibility for the New Zealand
Walkways Act 1990. Implementation is largely the responsibility of the
Department of Conservation. The New Zealand Conservation Authority and its
regional conservation boards have roles in the establishment of new walkways
and monitoring the performance of the department. Local authorities and
other organisations are involved with the establishment of some new walkways
and their management.
This is a coastal trail and cycle path that winds along the south-eastern coast of the Franklin region of Auckland, along the “Pohutukawa Coast”. It is about 6 kms in length and takes about 90 minutes to complete as a walk. The walk is between the settlements of Beachlands and Maraetai, both of which have fairly signficant Maori and European history.
This walk has lovely views of Auckland’s Waiheke Island and the Coromandel Peninsula, as well as views of the Hauraki Gulf.
. Mount William
Length: 6.7 km (3 hours each way or round trip to the summit from
either end)
Location: Between Puketutu Road, Bombay and McMillan Roads, Pokeno,
50 km south of Auckland City in the Franklin region
Classification: Walking Track (reserve section)/Tramping Track
This walk extends through pastoral land across the summit of Mount William (369 m)
and the scenic reserve. Views from the top extend from the west coast to the Firth
of Thames. The track north of Mount William is along a saddle of rolling farmland
to Puketutu trig, at a similar height to Mount William. The northern section is
closed each spring for lambing. As dates may vary annually, it pays to check with DOC in Auckland
Some stuff about Franklin………..
Almost a year ago, I was searching for some bits to blog about, about Franklin Country/region/district and I used a little of what I have decided to re-use and re-iterate……(good word!)just ‘cos I think that it’s quite interesting really
It is fairly lengthy BUT, if you are a bit interested in history and also particularly as we once again have the V8 Supercars here on our turf, you may just feel like a read 🙂
so…..here we go…….
ranklin –
“Franklin” was originally a rural New Zealand parliamentary electorate, which existed from 1861 to 1996 during four periods.
(Quoted from various sources such as Wikipedia) –
The original electorate from 1861 to 1881 included the South Auckland towns of Papatoetoe, Papakura, Pukekohe and Waiuku, and west of Waiuku to the West Coast. When reconstituted in 1890 the northern boundary was north of Papakura, and (with the growth of Auckland) now excluded Papatoetoe.
In December 1887, the House of Representatives voted to reduce its membership from general electorates from 91 to 70. The 1890 electoral redistribution used the same 1886 census data used for the 1887 electoral redistribution. In addition, three-member electorates were introduced in the four main centres. This resulted in a major restructuring of electorates, and Franklin was one of eight electorates to be re-created for the 1890 election
The electorate existed from 1861 to 1881 as a two-member electorate, when it was split into the Franklin North and Franklin South electorates. One of the first MP’s, Marmaduke Nixon was killed in action in 1864 whilst leading an assault on a Māori village during the Invasion of Waikato, forcing the 1864 by-election. In 1890 it was reconstituted, to 1978 and then from 1984–87, and 1993–96. From 1978 to 1984 it was renamed the Rangiriri electorate, and from 1987 to 1993 it was renamed the Maramarua electorate but in 1993 it reverted to “Franklin”. In 1996 with MMP, the area became part of the Port Waikato electorate.
The single-member electorate was first represented by Ebenezer Hamlin from 1890 to 1893. Benjamin Harris defeated the future Prime Minister William Massey in 1893, but the 1896 contest had the opposite outcome. From 1896 to 1925 Franklin was represented by the Reform Party’s Massey, known as Farmer Bill, the Prime Minister from 1912 to 1925. Ewen McLennan then held the electorate for one term before he retired, and was replaced by Massey’s son Jack.
In 1935 Franklin was won by Arthur Sexton of the Country Party. He lost the seat in 1938 to Jack Massey, now standing for the National Party, who held the seat until 1957, when he was de-selected by the National Party in favour of Alfred E. Allen. Alf Allen held the seat until 1972, and was then replaced by future National minister Bill Birch who then held the seat over the remaining three periods that the seat existed.
Franklin District is a “territorial authority” lying between the Auckland metropolitan area and Waikato Plains. It was abolished on 31 October 2010 as a formal territory and divided between Auckland Council in the Auckland Region to the north, and Waikato and Hauraki districts in the Waikato Region, to the south and east. The Auckland portion is now part of the Franklin ward, which also includes rural parts of the former Manukau City and has one Local Board and three subdivisions.
Franklin currently spans the eastern coast of the Hauraki Gulf to the western coast of the Manukau Harbour and includes the inland and coastal settlements such of the Awhitu Peninsula, Karaka, Ardmore, Clevedon, Whitford, Beachlands, Maraetai, Kawakawa Bay and Orere Point, as well as the townships of Pukekohe and Waiuku.
The fertile volcanic soil and warm moist climate supports a large horticultural and dairy farming industry. The Pukekohe long keeper onion is well known internationally.
Pukekohe has a high school, a rugby union stadium (ECOLight Stadium, home of the Counties-Manukau Steelers), horse-racing, and Pukekohe Park Raceway, our own motor sports facility. Opened in 1963, this circuit is famous for having hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix 29 times between 1963 and 2000, as well as the V8 International (a round of the V8 Supercars championship) between 2001 and 2007, before the event was moved to Hamilton, but is now back home in Pukekohe and has celebrated 50 years of motor sport in the area. A year long celebration was planned and actioned, kicking off on the 6th April 2013 with billboards, stalls and more
Some of our Famous people
• Peter (Possum) Bourne, Rallycar driver
• Simon Doull, cricket representative and radio personality
• Malietoa Tanumafili II, Samoan Head of State—educated at Wesley College
• Jonah Lomu, All Black—educated at Wesley College
• Bill Birch, MP—was a long-time resident
• Leslie Comrie, astronomer and pioneer in mechanical computation
• Allan Wilson, molecular biologist—grew up in the area
• DJ Ali, hip hop music producer
• Andy Dalton, resident and All Blacks captain
• Rex Mason, mayor and MP
• Ron Wai Shing, the first Chinese New Zealander to stand for Parliament.]
With this in mind, having history and a huge area to consider in developing the region, the website (developed in 2006 – www.franklincountry.com), was re-instigated by two locals.
franklincountry 
