1607 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
11 hours ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.3% Complete
  • 20.1% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    20.1% Complete
  • 69.6% Nah - not for me
    69.6% Complete
184 votes
10 days ago

Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.

We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.

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🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
  • 85.1% Same!
    85.1% Complete
  • 14.9% Would have liked to try something different
    14.9% Complete
530 votes
7 days ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    78.7% Complete
  • 21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    21.3% Complete
1254 votes