Franklin
Franklin
Population	64,200 (June 2009 estimate)[1]
Land area	2,187.94 km² (844.77 sq mi)
Extent	Papakura to Meremere; Port Waikato to Miranda, Firth of Thames

A true-colour image showing the Auckland area. Franklin is at the lower left of the picture. The scene was acquired by NASA's Terra satellite, on October 23, 2002.

The Franklin District is a territorial authority of New Zealand, in the North Island. The district is divided between Auckland Region (39.82 percent by land area) to the north and Waikato Region (60.18 percent) to the south. It is administered from the town of Pukekohe (in the Auckland Region). In 2010, the district is scheduled to be dissolved and its territory split between a new Auckland territorial authority in the Auckland Region and Waikato District in the Waikato Region. It has also been proposed that Franklin district become an independent unitary authority, fulfilling both the functions of a local and regional council.

[edit] Location and extent

The district is bounded in the north by the start of the Auckland metropolitan area and the waters of the Manukau Harbour. Awhitu Peninsula stretches up the Tasman coast to the mouth of this harbour. Here are located several holiday spots, such as Kariotahi Beach and Matakawau.

To the south, Franklin is bounded by the fertile lowlands of the Waikato Plains. In the east, the land rises to the Hunua Ranges, to the east of which is the coast of the Firth of Thames. In the west is the Tasman Sea. The Waikato River mouth is at Port Waikato in the south of the region. This is renowned as a good place for surfcasting.

The district is mainly rural, with local settlements such as Waiuku and Tuakau supporting the farming industry. One industry of note is the New Zealand Steel steel mill at Glenbrook, north of Waiuku.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Franklin District Council

This Auckland Region-related geography article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e