West Franklin Breeze

Shooting the breeze

The story behind the breeze

Welcome to the West Franklin Breeze,  a breath of fresh air for the Waiuku and West Franklin community. 

The paper prints and distributes 7,300 copies monthly and contains a broad spectrum of local news, profiles and information with a strong focus on the diversity this community has to offer.

Being one of New Zealand’s oldest towns, Waiuku has a natural focus on history, and is also guardian to some of the most scenic countryside near Auckland. Waiuku’s Kentish Hotel is New Zealand’s oldest continuously licenced hotel housed in the original building. On the Awhitu Peninsula north of Waiuku is the iconic Manukau Heads Lighthouse with a panoramic view of the Manukau Harbour entrance and the notoriously dangerous Manukau Bar. In 1863, the wreck of the HMS Orpheus became New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster with 189 lives lost.

Further South is the famous Karioitahi surf beach with fabulous views of the Tasman Sea, and still further south, where New Zealand’s longest river, the mighty Waikato reaches the sea.

 Waiuku also hosts New Zealand’s only steel mill at Glenbrook, producing steel from one of the most unique methods in the world – from black iron sands to coil steel and roofing iron. 

 Tourist attractions include the Glenbrook Vintage Railway with pristinely restores steam locomotives and vintage carriages, historic little ship Ratahi voyages from Waiuku on the Manukau Harbour, Waiuku Museum pioneer collection including historic buildings, arts and craft outlets: Waiuku and the Awhitu Peninsula has it all.

 It is now over 120 years since the first newspaper was established in Waiuku and the West Franklin Breeze is continuing that vital tradition…te wairua hapori hapori – community heart, community spirit.

CIRCULATION

 7,300 copies of The Breeze are printed monthly, distributed normally in the first week of each month except January to Waiuku urban letter boxes and the four rural mail districts which are serviced from Waiuku North from the Waikato River to the Manukau Heads, Awhitu Peninsula, Glenbrook to the east through to the west coast.

READERSHIP

Readership is estimated to be approximately 17,500 people.

A readership survey of Breeze readers returned some amazing results;

• 95% of those surveyed preferred the design of the paper over any others circulated in West Franklin.
• 88% of respondents preferred the Breeze over other papers because of its local content. Some comments “like local”, “done very professionally”, “interesting articles”.
• 80% of respondents when asked “What do you read first?” responded from front to back.

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER AFFILIATION

West Franklin Breeze is a member of the Community Newspapers Association of New Zealand.

MISSED YOUR COPY?

If you do not receive a copy of the West Franklin Breeze each month, email: circulation@westfranklinbreeze.nz with your street address and number. 

OR Pick-up copies from:

WAIUKU

1. Waiuku Information office
2. Waiuku Library
3. Elm Street Superette
4. Breeze Office, 16 Bowen Street

PUKEKOHE

1. Pukekohe Library 
2. Action Office Products, Stadium Drive

IMAGES

Top Image: The collapse of the western wall of the Waiuku News Building in 1970.
Second Image: The “NEWS” STAFF in 1964 at the time of the final issue of the Waiuku News. Back row: Brian Rountree, (3rd year composing apprentice);  Chas Peterson   (letterpress machinist);  Ron Dally (foreman/compositor) Front: Joyce Deed (clerk); Bill Deed (after school help); Mr Fred Jameson (Editor and Prop). Third image: Waiuku town centre. Fourth image: The famous Manukau Heads Lighthouse – favourite attraction of West Franklin.