Five sets of fabulous female friends tell Nicky Dewe about the great mates they wouldn’t be without.

Outrageous Fortune star Antonia Prebble and Shortland Street actress Beth Allen became buddies at the age of 14, when they were both cast in the futuristic teenage TV drama series The Tribe.

Beth: I grew up in Auckland while Toni was raised in Wellington but we’ve always made a big effort to see each other.

Antonia: We’re both Geminis, which means we’re contrary and can’t make decisions, but Beth’s more assertive than I am. I’m quite sensitive and Beth’s a bit more robust. She’s also more sensible. I’m trying to buy a house at the moment and I get Beth to come too because I’ll walk in and go, “Oh, my God, the vibe’s amazing.” Then Beth will say, “There’s no storage and the floor’s on an angle.” She provides really good balance in my life.

Beth: I get more stroppy about things and Antonia will say to me, “Well, you know, you could try looking at it from another point of view.” I think we both sometimes over-analyse things, but we always help to bring each other back down to earth. We make each other feel a little less crazy. I struggled for a while in my early twenties, when

I was doing less interesting jobs and not much acting, and Antonia would tell me, “It will definitely happen for you.” She never questioned it. That was tremendously comforting.

Antonia: And I wasn’t just saying that. I knew it. It’s easier from the outside looking in, because you can see when someone’s gifted. Beth is very insightful and incredibly loyal. Her love for me is utterly reliable. She makes a real effort to maintain friendships. Plus she’s got a great sense of humour – and an excellent collection of dirty jokes!

Check out the other stories in this friends special:

April Ieremia, Karen Olsen, Mary Durham and Paula Taylor
Toni Street and Renee Wright
Stacey Morrison and Hinewehi Mohi
Alison Leonard and Leah Panapa