Waiuku's estuary connects the town to Manukau Harbour and on to the Tasman Sea.
Franklin Hop
Franklin Hop 2026 returned to Clarks Beach, attracting motorists from across the country for a day in the sun.
waiuku’s estuary
Explore more Franklin Stories — people, places and experiences across the region
Featured Franklin stories...
read more...
Ben Bayly
Ben Bayly, chef and creator of the award-winning Ahi in Auckland’s Commercial Bay, also cultivates a productive garden in Franklin, growing many ingredients for his restaurant. The Longkeeper onion, featured recently on a TV series, is one of the vegetables he often...
My Franklin – Bill Cashmore
Former Auckland Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore was born and bred in Franklin District, with his family having been there since the late 1800s as sheep and beef farmers in the Hunua Ranges.
Waiuku Township
Where is Waiuku? Nestled between Manukau Harbour and Karioitahi Beach, Waiuku (meaning "brown water") is a quirky township with a rich history. The Kentish Hotel, Waiuku's social focal point, is New Zealand's longest-standing tavern, and its walls are decorated in its...
Cleared for Takeoff
How Ardmore is Powering Economic Growth in Franklin. Historical landmark, aviation icon, and growing commercial development, Ardmore Airport is undergoing a moment of exciting transition, growth and evolution. That’s par for the course though—since its inception in...
A Land for Rovers
Meet Francis Hewitt It feels like eyeballing the human embodiment of one of the machines he painstakingly restores, alongside his colleagues Mike Blake and Turoa Royal. He exudes the same robust confidence. It taps into a similar history of resilience and practicality...