Franklin County Council Chambers (13 Massey Avenue)

Franklin County Council was established 1912, in the same year as the Parish of Pukekohe. The new council required chambers, so it purchased two adjacent lots from Mr Roulston and hired L.C.A. Potter to erect the new building. Potter settled on a neoclassical façade for the structure, which was completed in February 1914 at the corner of today’s Roulston Street and Roulston Avenue.

Around 1940, the building was extended towards in the rear. The alterations were made to match the original style of the building and provided more office space, storage, and toilets. By this time, the council also had an overflow office building across Roulston Street. In 1958, a purpose-built two-storey structure was erected in its place, to which another floor was later added.

In 1972, the council chambers were sold and became the seat of the accountancy firm Cooper White & Associates (now Campbell Tyson). Today, it is home to the real estate developers Signature Homes. The building across the road served as the offices of the council until its abolition in 1989. It currently offers office space to an architectural firm and insurance brokers, as well as the headquarters of the Franklin Masonic Centre.

Cross Roulston Street at the protected crossing and then continue walking along Massey Avenue until returning to Franklin: The Centre.