Historically known as Auckland's food basket, Franklin flourished due to its highly fertile, frost-free soils.
The completion of the railway enabled the distribution of larger amounts of produce, while the arrival of Chinese and Indian families brought expanded acreage cropped.
This event at the Pukekohe pioneer cottage features fascinating displays reflecting the early days of vegetable growing, including the iconic Pukekohe Long Keeper onion in the early 1900s.
Visitors can explore the diversity of produce grown over the years while enjoying hot soup and scones baked on the historic coal range.