Cropping occurs in:

• Central areas of the district: Bombay across to Waiuku and Tuakau to Karaka
• Pukekawa

Dairying occurs in:

• Otaua
• Aka Aka
• part of the Awhitu peninsula
• Karaka

Sheep and Cattle farming occurs in:

• the Awhitu Peninsula
• on small farming (lifestyle) blocks across the District
• South of the River

Forestry occurs in:

• Klondyke Road
• The Hunua's

Forty percent of the Hunua sector is part of Auckland’s water catchment and Regional Park land, mostly in bush but with large areas of exotic forest. Away from the ranges topography and soil dictate farming activity, with cropping on the drained wetlands of the south and scattered dairying, sheep and cattle farming and forestry over the balance of the area. Along the Hunua hills, from Runciman to Pokeno are found many small farms and lifestyle blocks.

Other Land Use

While the main industry of Franklin is primary there is considerable light industry in the three main towns, especially Pukekohe. Most of this services the rural sector but some supports the country’s largest steel mill —located at Glenbrook and utilising iron sand from the Maioro forest on the north shore of the Waikato River mouth. The other industry in Franklin, small as yet but growing fast, is tourism. This is mostly small scale but has a major role in providing relaxation for the million people of the central Auckland region.
Much of the tourism has developed around the natural and cultural features of the District. Of especial note are the forests of the Hunua Ranges, the coastal bird sanctuaries at Miranda and along the south shore of the Manukau harbour, limestone caves at Waikaretu and the historic aspects of life —especially around Waiuku.