horses in paddock

Rugged up in their winter blankets, two horses trot the paddock on a crispy winter morning.

josh
Author: josh

Explore more Franklin Stories — people, places and experiences across the region

Featured Franklin stories...

Hūnua Falls Lookout Loop

Hūnua Falls Lookout Loop

Tucked into central Franklin, Hūnua Regional Park offers space for a range of activities, including fishing, horse riding, mountain biking and tramping. But, if you're interested in a quick visit that won't leave you as puffed, consider the Hūnua Falls Lookout Loop....

read more
Fields of Dreams

Fields of Dreams

Clevedon: The Heart of New Zealand Polo In Clevedon, the elite sport of polo is given a friendly Kiwi twist. Here, nestled in the expanding rural community, everyone’s welcome to rub shoulders with the rich, famous and sometimes even the royal. The village is renowned...

read more
Franklin Hop

Franklin Hop

Franklin Hop 2026 returned to Clarks Beach, attracting motorists from across the country for a day in the sun.

read more
Duder Regional Park

Duder Regional Park

On Franklin’s eastern edge, Duder Regional Park stretches out into the Hauraki Gulf, a peninsula surrounded by sea and sky. It’s the first part of the region to greet each sunrise, as the day breaks across the water and the land glows gold. For early walkers, it feels...

read more
Pizza Night Just Got Serious

Pizza Night Just Got Serious

A pizza-obsessed deli plus informal restaurant where you can buy all the equipment and ingredients to do it yourself. That’s the dream Brad Golchin and his wife Sirpa Gunn have made into reality at Pizzata in Pukekohe. From left: Brad Golchin, Sirpa Gunn (Owners of...

read more
Maraetai Beach

Maraetai Beach

Tucked along Franklin’s eastern shoreline, Maraetai is a seaside township with a charm all its own. Its name, meaning “meeting place by the sea,” reflects its history as a gathering point, where rolling hills meet sheltered bays. With sweeping views across the Hauraki...

read more