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

A little Puni treasure hunt ✨

Published about 1 month ago • 4 min read

Hello, my dear Frankies!

Don’t you just love all the gorgeous little corners we have tucked away in Franklin?! Just when you think you know all the good spots, you stumble across somewhere new and different.

And Altered State Gallery is one of those places! Every time I visit, it feels like I’ve wandered straight into the beautiful, curious, wildly creative mind of its owner and artist, Eric. So this week’s feature is mostly a gorgeous little photo wander through some of the fun, weird, wonderful and magical things you can find inside the gallery.

But the best part? It’s always changing. And even when you think you’ve seen everything, you look again and find something new hiding in plain sight.

So please go and visit Altered State Gallery when you can. Take a friend, have a slow little wander, and let yourself be delighted ♥

Have a beautiful week, my dear Frankies.

R. and The Frankie Team xx

A little Puni treasure chest: Altered State Gallery

Have you ever accidently wondered into a space that's just unexpectidly magial?!

That's how it feels visiting Altered State Gallery.

Tucked away on Aka Aka Road in Puni, Altered State is the studio and gallery of artist Eric Janett, who turns old, overlooked and forgotten materials into one-of-a-kind steampunk sculptures, paintings, collectables and curious little treasures.

It is part gallery, part vintage treasure hunt, part “wait, what am I looking at?” as you come across the most amazing pieces.

This is not a stiff, whispery kind of gallery where you feel like you need to clasp your hands behind your back and slowly nod your head and pretend to understand art. It is much more fun than that. Think repurposed materials, quirky creations, vintage bits, oddities, bespoke art, and pieces you need to look at twice because there is always some tiny little detail hiding in there.

It is exactly the sort of local spot you go to for a quick nosey and end up wandering around for ages, pointing at things and saying, “Okay, but look at this!” (Guilty!!)

🖼 Altered State Gallery is open Sundays in Puni, 9.30am-3pm, and also by appointment.
🏕 60 Aka Aka Rd, Puni
🎨 Check their Instagram page before heading out, then go have a little adventure.

skumtapen

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

Music Bingo Fundraiser for Cam

Join the Music Bingo Fundraiser at The Good Home, Pukekohe, on Friday 14 August, raising funds to support Cam Mitchell’s specialist rehabilitation in Australia following a motorbike accident earlier this year.

Tickets are $30 per person, with great prizes and all proceeds going towards Cam’s recovery: https://tinyurl.com/cammitchell​

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

📸 Visual Branding Workshop: Plan & Create a Month of Content in a Day​
Accent Photography NZ
Learn how to batch a month's worth of content in a single day, with a follow-up implementation session on 20 August to put it all into action together. Pilot pricing available for the full four-part workshop series. https://www.instagram.com/p/DajEs4ol5xF/​

🧠 Quiz Night​
Pukekohe Golf Club • 6:30pm–8:30pm
Gather your team for a fun evening of trivia. https://www.facebook.com/events/4404440859836329/4404440863169662/​

🎱 Housie​
78 Nelson Street • 11:00am–1:00pm
Enjoy a friendly game of Housie. https://www.facebook.com/events/2284581512050345/2370541730120989/​

Friday

💪 South Auckland Junior Tough Guy & Gal Challenge​
Pukekohe Showgrounds • 9:30am
Young competitors take on the famous mud-filled obstacle challenge. https://www.facebook.com/share/1JQit52bdS/​

🎨 Dismal Days Exhibition Opening​
Franklin Arts Centre • 4:00pm–6:00pm
Celebrate the opening of Lahaina Limaco's latest exhibition, with live painting continuing in the gallery on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the exhibition.

Saturday

Sunday

🎬 NZ Mountain Film Festival National Tour​
Waiuku Town Hall, 80 Queen Street • 7:00pm
Watch six inspiring New Zealand adventure films on the town hall's new giant screen. Limited to 100 seats. https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/nz-mountain-film-festival-2026-national-tour/auckland​

🛍️ Franklin Country Market​
Pukekohe Park Raceway • From 8:00am
Enjoy an upmarket mix of fresh produce, handmade goods, antiques, food trucks and live music. https://www.facebook.com/events/999194588663643/999194658663636/​

🧘 Sunday Stretch Sessions​
RX Fitness 235, 42 Belgium Street, Waiuku • 9:00am
A 45-minute guided stretch session with The Stretch Collective. Book here: https://www.dbremedialmassage.com/the-stretch-collective?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio​

monday

🥣 Good Food, Bright Minds​
Cafe Queen, Waiuku • 7:00am–9:00am
Free nourishing breakfasts for local school children every Monday during the school term.

🏃 The Wellness Run Club​
Your Local Coffee, West Street • 5:45am
A welcoming 5km social run for all fitness levels.

❓ Quiz Night​
The Good Home, Pukekohe • 7:00pm
Weekly quiz night with bookings recommended.

Tuesday

☕ Empower Her: Women in Business Coffee & Connection
Little Batch Wax Co., 152A Manukau Road, Pukekohe • 11:00am
Connect with other local businesswomen while discussing this month's topic: Magnetic Offer Creation. https://www.instagram.com/p/DbomXr3Eow8/​

🎨 Painting Club​
Franklin Arts Centre • 6:00pm–8:00pm
Bring along your current project and enjoy two hours of creative painting time with fellow artists.

Wednesday

💼 Elevate: Franklin Business Series – Leadership​
The Franklin Club • Doors open 5:30pm
Hear Mike Marr share practical leadership insights, followed by networking and refreshments. Free tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/elevate-franklin-business-series-leadership-tickets-1975671021208?aff=oddtdtcreator​

🧠 Malt N Steel Quiz Night​
Malt N Steel, Waiuku • 7:00pm
Teams of 2–8 compete for prizes. Book here: https://www.facebook.com/maltnsteelwaiuku​

🎮 Anti-Social Social Club for Teens​
Pukekohe Library • 3:30pm
A welcoming after-school club where teens can connect, relax and enjoy different activities in a safe, inclusive space.

🏃 Fire Station Run Club​
Fire Station Eatery, Pukekohe • 5:30pm
Choose from 2.5km or 5km routes, then stick around for spot prizes and bar menu discounts.

Word Scramble answer: Steampunk

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

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