Mai Lighthouse

Ngā mihi nui! 💚🙏🏼

A little throwback to a wonderful evening last month, when our crew teamed up with Salvation Army to put on a community dinner - good kai, good company, and a whole lot of manaakitanga on display. We're finally getting around to sharing it, but the gratitude hasn't faded one bit!

A few special mentions:

Matthew Paul - National candidate for Port Waikato - thank you for lending a hand, it made all the difference. Matthew Paul for Port Waikato

To Blue Ox Babe - for cooking up that incredible brisket. By all accounts it was the standout of the night, and we can see why! 😍 Blue Ox Babe

And to Rach - who was behind the scenes all evening making sure everyone and everything had what they needed. These nights don't happen without people like you. Rachael Whitehead

Huge thanks to everyone who rolled up their sleeves to cook, carve, serve and clean up, and to all of you who came through the door to share a meal with us. This is what community looks like 💛

This arvo, rangatahi! 🏀🎶

The Rangatahi After-School Hauora Hub is on today from 3-5:30pm at the Roulston St carpark in Pukekohe.

Come along for basketball, netball, kai, music and prizes. There's also a Waypoint drop-in room, plus Youthline's Lashing and Leadership workshops. No sign-up needed, just turn up.

Local rangatahi and high school students, this one's for you. Bring your mates! 💛

Brought to you by Te Ahi Kaa, Waypoint and Youthline for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Belonging Matters across Franklin this week💛

From chalk murals at our schools to a rangatahi hauora hub, a teachers' workshop and a weaving wānanga, there's something for everyone.

Everything is free, and everyone is welcome. Details on the poster ⬆️

Need someone to talk to? Free call or text 1737 any time.

It's Mental Health Awareness Week! 💛

This year's theme is Belonging Matters, and it's a good one. Feeling connected to our whānau, our friends and our community is one of the biggest things that keeps us well, and every one of us is at the centre of it.

All week, organisations right across Franklin are putting on workshops, activities and ways to connect.

Find out what's on at in our pinned posts and bring someone with you 🌿

If you or someone you love needs a hand, free call or text 1737 any time. Our counsellors and social workers are also here for you on 09 238 6233.

Ngā mihi nui to our friends at Custom Threadz! 🧡

Our custom aprons get a workout, whether we're in the kitchen for the Community Cooking Programme, cooking up a feed for the Community Meal, or out at events around Franklin. They make us feel like one whānau, and they look pretty good too! 😄

And a shout out for anyone local: if you're looking for something similar in Franklin, Custom Threadz is the tahi! 💫

Great people, great work, and a local business backing our mahi.

Thank you for helping us show up for our community in style 💛

This Friday, come and see us at the Franklin Positive Ageing Expo! 💛

We'll be at our stall with plenty of info on how Mai Lighthouse supports kaumātua and whānau across Franklin and North Waikato. Come say kia ora, we'd love to chat.

📅 Friday 9 October
🕤 9:30am - 2:30pm
📍 PIA Events Centre
🎟️ Free entry!
🚧 Heads up: there are roadworks on Ward Street, so the best way to get to the venue is via Wellington Street.

See you there!

The final countdown is on – only 3 DAYS left to go!! 🎉

Get ready for a day of exploring filled with local services, activities, live performances, raffles, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new.

🎟️ Free Entry
🗓 October 9th
🕘 9:30am—2:30pm
📍Pukekohe Indian Hall
🎁 Recliner chair giveaway from La-Z-Boy + prizes from local businesses
☕️ Free refreshments
🌟 Live performances

📣NOTICE: There are currently roadworks happening on Ward Street. Best road access to the Expo venue on Ward Street will be via Wellington Street roundabout.

LAST REMINDER! 👀💫

Our chalk packs are ready, and schools have already collected theirs! 🎨

There's still time to join Drawn Together, but only for the last few days this week.

Register your school, choose around 10 students, and let them show what belonging means to them in chalk on the pavement, Monday 12 - Wednesday 14 October, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

It's free, and we'll come out to take photos of the finished artwork.

Scan the QR code on the tile, or register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/tLLaazZWkv

This Saturday, our friends at The Runway Foundation are hosting The Runway Gala, a colourful night of fashion, music and stories celebrating creativity, individuality and every kind of mind 💛

🗓️ Sat 10 October | 🕔 5pm - 9pm |
📍 Pukekohe Netball Centre

Tickets via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/the-runway-gala-tickets-1998520000119

Can’t make it on the night? You can buy a ticket and gift it to a whānau or young person who might not otherwise get to be there 💫

Franklin Teachers & Kaimahi - this one's for you 💫

Mental Health 101 is a free, practical workshop giving Franklin teachers and kaimahi everyday tools to support student wellbeing in the classroom - no jargon, just real strategies that work.

Hosted by Ross Cormack, Mai Lighthouse Mental Health Social Worker, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2026.

🗓️ Wednesday 14 October, 3:45pm
📍 Pukekohe North School

Open to teachers and kaimahi from schools across Franklin. Scan the QR code or visit the link in our bio to register.