The Apprentices's Erna 'The injury that changed my life'
Woman’s Day Magazine NZ|July 12, 2021
The reality star reveals the health crisis that set her on the path to business success
Florence Hartigan
The Apprentices's Erna 'The injury that changed my life'

When Woman’s Day visits The Apprentice Aotearoa contestant Erna Basson at her gorgeous five bedroom home on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast, the relaxed, breezy reality star seems a million miles away from the stresses of the boardroom.

Introducing us to her husband Nellis and their sons Nicholas, nine, and Christopher, six, without the chic corporate wardrobe and signature long blonde locks she sports on the TVNZ 1 show, this is a side of Erna viewers don’t get to see.

“I got recognised in Countdown today – without my extensions in,” she laughs. “That never happens!”

It’s hard to imagine the statuesque entrepreneur as someone who could ever fly under the radar. At 1.8m tall, with the kind of charisma that lights up a room, Erna’s presence radiates the energy that has landed her international speaking engagements, advising everyone from aspiring business moguls to Hollywood celebrities on how to make the cash roll in.

“I’m passionate about what I do,” she tells us. “I love building brands. I love creating businesses. I could talk about business all day. Some people would maybe say that I’m too much or I’m too pushy, but I’m just driven – and I’m very, very competitive, which you can see on the show!”

Erna’s drive to succeed is a trait she developed when it looked like her life was heading in a very different direction. From an early age, growing up in Bloemfontein, South Africa, she showed promising signs of becoming an elite athlete – that is, until an unexpected injury derailed everything she’d been working for.

Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin July 12, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin July 12, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

WOMAN’S DAY MAGAZINE NZ DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
TREASURE & TRAUMA
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TREASURE & TRAUMA

The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

JUDGE JAY-JAY

Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas

time-read
2 dak  |
August 31, 2024
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'

The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother

time-read
3 dak  |
August 31, 2024
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO

The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy

time-read
3 dak  |
August 31, 2024
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!

Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way

time-read
3 dak  |
August 31, 2024
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR

The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay

time-read
2 dak  |
August 31, 2024
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'

The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal

time-read
3 dak  |
August 31, 2024
CARMEL SEPULONI  I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!

Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI

time-read
3 dak  |
August 31, 2024
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR

The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!

time-read
5 dak  |
August 31, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024