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The story behind Diwali, a cruise out to Awhitu and plenty to get out and do this week.
Published 1 day agoย โขย 6 min read
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Hello, my dear Frankies! ๐โ
We definitely forget sometimes, just how much cool stuff happens right here in our little corner of the world - and Waiuku Diwali is a pretty perfect example!
Just imagine wandering down to the local rugby fields and suddenly being surrounded by Indian music, colourful dancing, the most delicious food, hundreds of happy familiesโฆand then fireworks filling the sky!
And all of that is happening right here in Waiuku. How cool is that?!
After a massive first festival in 2024, Waiuku Diwali is back on Saturday 14 November - and this year, itโs going to be even bigger ๐ฎ
I had a super interesting chat with organiser Gauri Ghorpade about how the festival came to be, what theyโve got planned this year, and why sharing a little piece of her culture with our Franklin community means so much to her โฅ
Go check out what's in store for Diwali, and all the other amazing events this week!
See ya out there!
R. and the Frankie Team xx
Little brainteasers
ginrsp things
Unscramble the letters above to find the Franklin-related phrase! Answer at the bottom of the newsletter!
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๐ช Waiuku Diwali: Bigger, Brighter and More Beautiful Than Ever!
โWaiuku Diwali is back, and this year it's going to be bigger, brighter and more colourful than ever!
You don't need to travel into Auckland for a big, beautiful cultural festival. We've got one coming right to our little corner of Franklin!
On Saturday 14 November, Waiuku Rugby Club will be transformed into a colourful celebration of Indian culture, with delicious food, dancing, music, family fun and a spectacular fireworks finale!
And after the incredible turnout at the first Waiuku Diwali in 2024, the organisers are pulling out all the stops to make this year's festival even more magical.
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From a Little Idea to a Big Celebration
The idea for Waiuku Diwali began with a conversation between Vanessa from the Waiuku Business Association and local organiser Gauri Ghorpade from Digiverse NZ.
They wondered whether they could bring together the community spirit of Blast to the Past with the beautiful traditions of Diwali. And from that little conversation, something pretty wonderful grew!
For Gauri, it was about much more than organising a festival.
"I saw an opportunity to create a celebration that wasn't just for the Indian community, but for every family in Waiuku and the wider Franklin region."
The response to their first festival in 2024 blew them away, with families coming together to enjoy the performances, try new foods and experience a little piece of Indian culture right here in Waiuku.
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Bigger, Brighter and Even More Delicious!
This year, they're going BIG!
We're talking over 150 performers, a bigger stage, around 25โ30 food and retail stalls, colourful cultural dances, music, kids' rides, bouncy castles, face painting and a gorgeous fireworks finale!
And let's talk about the food! From samosas, butter chicken and pani puri (if you haven't tried this, you don't know what you're missing!!), to street food, fusion dishes, burgers, ice cream and plenty of sweet treats, there's something for everyone โฅ
Gauri's advice? "Come hungry, bring the whole family and be ready to enjoy a little bit of everything!"
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A Little Light, a Lot of Love
Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It's a time for families to come together, decorate their homes with lights, share delicious food and celebrate love, hope and new beginnings.
And being able to share these traditions with the Franklin community means the world to Gauri.
"My dream is for Waiuku Diwali to become one of Franklin's most loved annual community celebrations, something families look forward to every year, just like Christmas parades and other local traditions."
What a gorgeous dream, and one we can all help make happen!
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Come and Join the Fun!
You don't need to know anything about Diwali, and there's no dress code. Just bring the family, wear something comfy and come ready for a wonderful celebration!
๐ช Saturday 14 November 2026โ โ๐ Waiuku Rugby Clubโ โโจ Cultural performances, delicious food, family activities and fireworks!
A huge amount of work goes into bringing a festival like this to life, so a big thank you to Gauri, Rahul Chopra, Tashi Events, Desi DNB, the Waiuku Business Association, and all the incredible local businesses, sponsors, performers and volunteers making it happen.
Let's get out there and show them just how much Franklin loves a good celebration! โค๏ธ
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Great cars, great cause!
Hot rods, classics, bikes and real fruit ice cream? Sounds like a pretty good Saturday! Cruise to the Heads is raising funds for Awhitu District School, with food, music, raffles, prizes and plenty of family fun. Bring your pride and joy along, or just come for a wander and admire everyone elseโs!
๐ 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!
There's a lot going on in Franklin if you know where to look! And remember to submit your event for free!โ
Thursday
๐ช Diwali Storytimeโ 10.30โ11am at Franklin: The Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe (Free) A lively half-hour of Diwali-themed stories, rhymes, singing and dancing for children and whฤnau.
๐ Pukekohe Lions Club Christmas Grottoโ Catch the Lions Clubโs festive Christmas Grotto as it returns for another year. Check it out!โ
๐๐บ Christmas Wreath Pottery Workshop #2โ 6.30โ9.30pm at Little Batch Wax Co. HQ, Pukekohe Hand-build and glaze your own bespoke Christmas wreath in this treasured keepsake pottery workshop. All the details hereโ
๐ป Thursday Quiz Nightโ 6.30โ8.30pm at Pukekohe Golf Club Grab your team and test your trivia skills over a fun night at the club. More info hereโ
๐ New Zealandโs Next Chapter: Recovery, Reinvention and the Road Aheadโ 7โ8.30am at Navigation Homes Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive, Pukekohe Investment strategist Zoe Wallis discusses the economy, markets and what the outlook means for Franklin businesses. More info hereโ
Friday
๐จ๐ผ๏ธ Framed 3D Plaster Art Workshopโ 6.30pm at Botanica on Bowen Create your own textured 3D artwork in a fun, relaxed atmosphere, back by popular demand after the last one sold out. Check it out!โ
Saturday
๐ฅ Franklin Market at Pukekoheโ 8amโ12pm at Public car park, 9 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe (Free entry) Browse produce, food, plants, crafts, clothing, books, tools and car-boot stalls. All the details hereโ
๐๏ธ Thunder Maidens: She Rides, She Roars Rideโ 9.30am departing The Hidden Cafe, 994C Paerata Road, Patumahoe Join an all-female group motorcycle ride setting off from Patumahoe. More info hereโ
๐ธ Paerata School Spring Festivalโ 11amโ2pm at Paerata School, 32 Jonah Lomu Drive, Paerata Rise (Free entry) Enjoy live music, food trucks, baking, books, produce, rides, games, raffles, auctions and a cake competition.
๐ Author Talk: Jodie Shelleyโ 11amโ12pm at Waiuku Library, 10 King Street, Waiuku (Free) Jodie Shelley discusses her self-publishing journey, her three novels and her forthcoming book Picking Lemons.
๐ฑ Crop Swap Pukekoheโ 1.30pm at Pukekohe Library Meet local growers and gardeners to swap and share your harvests. Check it out!โ
๐ง Pukekohe Repair Cafรฉโ 10am at Franklin Arts Centre Volunteer fixers lend a hand with repairs to clothing, bikes, electrical items and more. All the details hereโ
Sunday
๐ด Counties Cycle Classicโ Registration from 8am, starts 9.45am at ลtaua Hall, Maioro Road, ลtaua/Waiuku ($65โ$75 depending on course) Choose from three supported road-cycling courses raising money for Rotary projects and charities. More info hereโ
๐ชต DIY Chopping Boards and Platters Workshopโ 2โ4pm at Waiuku Tool Library and Community Workshop, 5 Hosking Place, Waiuku ($10) Learn basic power-tool skills while making your own wooden chopping board or serving platter.
๐ธ Live Acoustic Music with Armand and Geriโ 3โ6pm at Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club Sports Bar, 4 Victoria Avenue, Waiuku (Free) Settle in for an afternoon of live acoustic music in the sports bar.
๐ Franklin Burpee Mileโ Test yourself at this quirky local fitness challenge combining running and burpees. Check it out!โ
๐ช Waiuku Community Fairโ Head along for a fun-filled day of stalls, activities and community spirit in Waiuku. All the details hereโ
๐ Crafty Cows Marketโ Pokeno Browse a variety of local stalls and handmade goods at this Pokeno market. More info hereโ
๐ฅ Franklin Country Marketโ 8am at Pukekohe Park Raceway Browse homegrown produce, handmade crafts, antiques and market stalls, with food trucks, live music and a car boot sale. Check it out!โ
๐ง Sunday Stretch Sessionsโ 9am at Rxfitness235, 42 Belgium Street, Waiuku Join The Stretch Collective for a 45-minute stretch session to ease into your Sunday. All the details hereโ
monday
๐ณ Good Food, Bright Mindsโ 7โ9am at Cafe Queen, Waiuku A collaboration between Cafe Queen and Sanctuary Retreat offering a nourishing breakfast for school kids every Monday during term time.
๐ป Monday Quiz Nightโ 7pm at Good Home Pukekohe, 65 Edinburgh Street Gather your team for a fun weekly quiz night, booking recommended.
๐น Margherita Mondayโ Appetite Kick off the week with a $15 margarita, because Mondays deserve a little extra sparkle.
Tuesday
๐๏ธ DigiKลr+ Youth Podcast Programmeโ 10.30amโ12.30pm at Waiuku Library, 10 King Street, Waiuku (Free, booking required) An eight-week practical podcast programme for young people not currently in education, employment or training.
๐จ Painting Clubโ 6โ8pm at Franklin Arts Centre Bring along whatever youโre working on for two hours of dedicated painting time and connect with other local artists (term time only).
Wednesday
๐งฉ๐ป Pubbleโ 7โ9pm at Little Ed, 36 Edinburgh Street, Pukekohe (Booking recommended) Little Edโs escape-room-meets-pub-quiz evening returns.
๐ Anti-Social Social Club for Teensโ 3.30pm at Pukekohe Library, 12 Massey Avenue A brand-new after-school hangout for teens of all kinds, social, not-so-social, or anywhere in between, everyoneโs welcome. More info hereโ
Word Scramble answer: Spring Nights
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p.s. If someone awesome sent you this email and you want to subscribe yourself, sign up here ๐ dearfrankie.co.nzโ
"Think Waiuku, Pukekohe + surrounds are boring? You haven't signed up for Dear Frankie yet!"
*NEW FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER!* Covering Franklin's community gatherings, gigs and events, job postings, digital farmers market, weekend getaways, local stories and more...all delivered straight to your inbox for free! New editions every Thursday at 9:16 am. Subscribe free! ๐
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