Willie Apiata VC: the Reluctant Hero by Paul Little 'At 0900 on Sunday 01 July my CO handed me three letters to read. The first was from the Governor General, the second from the Prime Minister and the third was from the Minister of Defence. These letters informed me that I had been awarded the Victoria Cross for New Zealand (V.C.).' Cpl Bill (Willie) Apiata, V.C.
On 60 Minutes earlier in the week they interviewed him.
Watch the video on the TV3 website
Corporal Willie Apiata is a rare mix of strength, confidence and humility. He says the act for which he received his Victoria Cross is just something you would do for your mate, and says the Cross doesn’t belong to him, it belongs to his entire team.
But for New Zealanders, he is the hero we can be proud of; the first Kiwi to win a Victoria Cross since WWII. And while we might know about his heroic dash to carry his commander to safety before returning to fight, there is very little that we know about him, his family, his upbringing, and his life outside the SAS. Until now.
Mike McRoberts talks to Apiata about medal thieves, the SAS, being a hero and suddenly being faced with becoming a national celebrity. And he finds out just how good Corporal Apiata would be in close-quarter combat.
Earlier in a year a full length documentary was produced. The library has it on DVD.
Reluctant hero
“Reluctant Hero”, the story which outlines Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Willie Apiata’s thrust into the spotlight of media and public attention from the anonymity of an NZSAS soldier. It details the initial days and months of Cpl. Apiata VC living with the award as well as a full re-enactment of the events in Afghanistan that lead to the recommendation and eventual bestowal of the VC.
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