1663 days ago

Basketball, university or firefighter? Tall Fern Ella Fotu does it all

Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times

Ella Fotu grew up playing sport, but it wasn’t until she witnessed her older brother, Tall Black Isaac Fotu, making strides with his basketball career in Hawaii that she decided she wanted to go pro too.

She would go on to do that, and much more.

The 25-year-old from Torbay is juggling being a Tall Fern and playing for local club Harbour Breeze, alongside studying for a degree in environmental science via distance at Massey University, and, working as a firefighter at the Devonport Fire Station – the latter two are full-time gigs.

How does she manage all that?! Click 'read more' to find out.

More messages from your neighbours
9 hours ago

Auckland Seniors & Travel Expo

Seniors & Travel Expo

Neighbourhood locals are invited to the Auckland Seniors & Travel Expo, a relaxed and welcoming event bringing lifestyle, leisure, and travel together under one roof. Meet 50+ exhibitors showcasing travel ideas, retirement living, mobility solutions, health services, finance, and local clubs. Enjoy live music from Kulios, café seating, door prizes, and be in to win a Luxury Beachfront Escape for Two to Rarotonga.

North Harbour Stadium
28 February & 1 March
10:00am – 3:00pm
$10 entry
More Info & Tickets

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19 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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4 days ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!

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🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
  • 52.3% Human-centred experience and communication
    52.3% Complete
  • 15.2% Critical thinking
    15.2% Complete
  • 29.7% Resilience and adaptability
    29.7% Complete
  • 2.8% Other - I will share below!
    2.8% Complete
528 votes