The most recent NZ recipient of a major military medal was Trooper Willie Apiata, a descendant of Ngāpuhi who was born in Mangakino and enlisted in the NZ Army in 1989. He attended Te Whanau-a-Apanui Area School in Te Kaha, which he left at the age of 15. Apiata and Key were left in awe by 17-year-old Taraia Whatuira-Henderson of Waiheke Island who lost his father to suicide when he was 10. But she was always there for us. 1,240 "By giving you these medals to see, to hold, you now share the burden of the VC and its mana," he said. Apiata said he was no longer in the army because he wanted to be there for his family. War hero Willie Apiata called his family to reassure them of his safety after the publication of images the Defence Force say could encourage insurgents to target him. Son. VC hero returns from the war ... business class, Willie Apiata: 'I am very proud of my service'. "I feel and I hurt just like everybody else. "To this day she is still the hardest-working lady I know. Willie H. Apiata VC. Waihi College principal, Alistair Cochrane, has a look at Willie Apiata's medals. The theme for Poppy Appeal this year is: He whānau kotaki tātou We are all family. | Woman's Day content brought to you by Now to Love Read more: http://bit.ly/2HgLstA Photo / Fritha Tagg of the Waihi Leader. In 2002, the Labour government kept secret the original SAS deployment to Afghanistan but the White House website revealed they were there. Apiata was born in Mangakino, New Zealand. Dompost.co.nz and Stuff.co.nz reader reactions to Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata being identified in a photo of SAS troops in the Afghan capital of Kabul: "The publication of such photos clearly put peoples LIVES at risk! You did it to serve. Via Marae. . Cold case: Is a Kiwi mum the key to solving 72-year-old mystery? His parents separated, and he has not had contact with his father for several years. Click to enlarge. His sisters and him all shared the same birthday on the 15th of July. The highest grossing video game film of all-time is based on what video game? Lance Beath, senior fellow at Victoria University's Centre for Strategic Studies, said that if publishing a photograph of Corporal Apiata in Afghanistan presented a security risk, the Government would simply bring him home. Defence communications director Shaun Fogarty would not comment on whether Corporal Apiata was staying in Afghanistan, but said the publication of the pictures would confirm to the Taleban that he was currently in Kabul. Atlanta. Willie Apiata, also known as "the reluctant hero", was awarded the Victoria Cross on 2nd of July 2007 for his bravery on the battlefield; In 2004 Willie and some others were attacked while sleeping, Corporal D was injured, one of his main arterial was bleeding he was also coming in and out of consciousness, so Willie picked him up and ran 100 meters or so with the injured man on his back … "Willie Apiata was born on 28 June 1972 in Mangakino in the Waikato. His parents separated when he was very young, and he has not had contact with his father for several years. "Such solid information could encourage insurgents to plan and commit resources to the task of trying to kill or capture him, which previously they would not have.". "I was afraid. What U.S. city is officially known by the nickname "the Emerald city"? Steven Adams and Willie Apiata visited Wakatipu High School on Thursday, and were greeted by a thunderous haka by the 600 pupils who’d gathered to meet the ‘unexpected guests’. * Two SAS soldiers were also hurt in 2007 when one of their guns was fired accidentally. Hero: Willie Apiata (TV Episode) Storyline. That was what was important for her. -Adrian Douglas, "Another photo is hardly the issue. "I have a partner, and two sons, a 10-year-old and a 1-and-a-half-year-old. Izzy was born in 1988 and grew up in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) and the Wairarapa, where her parents passed on to her a keen interest in native plants and birdlife. I've learnt a lot from Willie, he is a pretty special bloke.'' Willie Apiata, I thought he was a “Tangata Whenua” of Aotearoa whose tupuna fought a war of resistance against an expansionist colonial power (Britiain). login . Hero: Willie Apiata (TV Episode) Storyline. His father is Maori and his mother Pakeha. Bill (Willy) Henry Apiata (pronounced A-pea-a-ta) was born on 28 June 1972 in Mangakino in the Waikato. I love my family they keep me inspired. Willie Apiata VC. What is important? Apiata has gifted all of his medals, including his VC, to New Zealand. -Pete, "We do have a right to know what our military are doing generally speaking but certain missions especially concerning the SAS should remain secret. IN THE FRAY: Philip Poupin took this photograph of Corporal Willie Apiata VC in Kabul this week. Warcraft. His father is a Maori New Zealander and his mother a Pakeha New Zealander, his parents are separated and he … Minneapolis. Your parents; your partner; your Koro; yourself. It's the people, it's the people, it's the people.". "I am a reluctant VC holder, but I am trying to do the best I can. Apiata was born in Mangakino, New Zealand in 1972 35. Early on, Apiata took him to meet then Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, about which Alcock was "quietly chuffed''. -Hamish. He ended his talk by saying, "If you take the centre of the flax bush away, where will the bellbird rest? It’s these qualities, which led him to perform one of New Zealand’s most heroic acts of bravery awarding him the honourable Victoria Cross of New Zealand. They were the six and seventh SAS troops to be injured in Afghanistan. Ngāti Porou. To protect; to keep peace, to honour those gone before you. Willie Apiata is the sole recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand which is that country's highest military award. Specialist White Island response crew discussed before tragedy, Ardern replies to 11yo who gave budget advice on beds for sick kids, Kerre McIvor: 'Surely we can feed the most vulnerable of our family', Liam Dann: Why Robertson won't match big-spending Aussies. Ngāi Tahu. His father descended from the Maori people (part of the indigenous New Zealanders) and his mother was descended from the European New Zealand settlers 36. "Willie and I probably talk on average every second day and the relationship has worked well. There were already at least a dozen posts on YouTube and a page on Wikipedia with clear images of Cpl Apiata." I cry, you know." I saw the picture and thought, he's really still in the war. -Mark, "Put at risk because of a photograph? His birth certificate carries the first name "Bill" but he is known as Willy. * In July 2008, New Zealand-born Australian SAS soldier Sean Patrick McCarthy was killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan. It defined you. Mr Key said he revealed his name after being told by his press secretary that media knew it was Corporal Apiata and planned to ask him to confirm that. Pokémon. We were a separated family. Ngāpuhi. reddit. The 2019 theme recognises that many veterans and their families can endure ongoing hardship when soldiers return from Operations. What iwi is Willie Apiata from through his father's side? Although he said Corporal Apiata was in greater danger as a result of the publication of the images, he refused yesterday to explain the specific threat. He said there were compelling reasons to publish the images, such as that the soldiers were not trying to hide their identities and were taken in a public place, but he did not think they should have been printed. Here’s a message of resilience from Westpac ambassador Willie Apiata VC (and Blue, his new horse) #allinthistogether. 614614. "I'm not going to stand up and lie to the New Zealand media. His early childhood was spent at Waima in Northland before the family moved to Te Kaha when he was seven. His parents separated, and he has not had contact with his father for several years. Willie Apiata has paid tribute to his mother, calling her a hero who kept the family together through difficult times. Russell Crowe's great grandmother was Maori. Source of national pride that man." VC vs PC is no contest. He asked the students who had a hero in their life - "someone who has always been there, the person you look up to". He defended publicly naming Corporal Apiata after the photos were published. * On overseas missions they often operate in tough terrain for long periods of time. You were a part of something – a legacy, a tradition, a calling. Taglines; Plot Summary; Synopsis; Plot Keywords; Parents Guide Apiata is a former corporal in the SAS and received his Victoria Cross for bravery under fire in Afghanistan after carrying a gravely wounded comrade across a battlefield to safety. "My hero is my mother," he said, "good old mum. * Based in Auckland and formed in June 1955, the New Zealand Special Air Service Group is an elite unit set up with the motto "Who Dares Wins". Born on 28 June 1972 in Mangakino - in the central North Island - Willie Apiata was the youngest of four children with three older sisters. War hero Willie Apiata called his family to reassure them of his safety after the publication of images the Defence Force say could encourage insurgents to target him. It was the same year that Corporal Willie Apiata carried a critically injured comrade to safety, making him the 22nd New Zealander to receive the Victoria Cross for bravery while under enemy fire. Earlier on, Corporal Willie Apiata interacted with school kids, who arrived to get the opportunity to know more about WWI and why they're honouring Cyril Bassett VC. Willie Apiata may be New Zealand's toughest living war hero, but now he's on another heroic mission -- alongside anti-suicide campaigner Mike King -- to get the conversation started about mental health by revealing his own vulnerability. * In October, it was announced that 70 SAS troops would be sent back to Afghanistan in three deployments over 18 months. You were there with your equals – your mates. He said it was clear the Government had deemed that if there was a risk to Corporal Apiata, that risk could be managed without needing to bring him back to New Zealand.Former SAS commander David Moloney, who was deployed to Borneo in 1965 and 1966, doubted it was now safe for Corporal Apiata to remain in Afghanistan. In 2008 he succeeded Sir Edmund Hillary as the "most trusted New Zealander". His father is Maori and his mother is Pakeha. bookmark-checked. * In 2004, one SAS soldier was shot and another was hit by shrapnel during a battle in central Afghanistan. His father is Maori and his mother is Pakeha. Shaped your character, your commitment, your conviction. The Warrior. Corporal Apiata's aunt Ola Paora said he contacted family members in the Eastern Bay of Plenty settlement of Te Kaha after The Dominion Post published the photograph yesterday amid controversy over the risk to troops once they had been identified. Willie Apiata is a quintessential Kiwi - hardworking, humble and honest. And last month, Willie Apiata VC launched ‘Post Transition’ to assist military personnel when they leave the NZDF. At the beginning of his chat to the students, Apiata gave out his medals to be passed around. Explore genealogy for Willie Apiata VC born 1970s including research + children + 1 photos + more in the free family tree community. It’s a tricky and uncertain time, particularly for Aucklanders and those going back to school. But according to John Minto, he “was no hero compared to Sam, Adrian and Peter.” Maybe Minto had been popping something else. Tonight, Corporal Willie Apiata VC will present a brass quatrefoil to the descendant of Cyril Bassett VC, the only New Zealander awarded a Victoria Cross at Gallipoli 100 years ago. Declaring that Apiata is… BIOGRAPHY Corporal Bill (Willy) Henry Apiata VC NZSAS. Clothes, food, family. It wasn't just me who won this. They also undertake counter-terrorism work. His father is Maori and his mother is Pakeha. ", Image 1 of 10: Barbara Kendall and Bill Henry 'Willie' Apiata VC presents Valerie Adams with her award for Sportswomen of the Year at the 2012 Westpac Halberg Awards. Images could show weapons configurations, ammunition quantities and communications equipment that could be exploited by adversaries, he said. Willie was born in Mangakino, New Zealand and thought always that he was born on July the 15th it was only till he was much older he knew that he was actually born on 28th of June 1972. -Mark W, "How bad ass does Willie Apiata look! War hero and Victoria Cross medal recipient Willie Apiata recently expressed in the public that he is accessing professional healing services to help him come to terms with his war trauma. Willie had no contact with his father for seven years and left school at the age of fifteen years old. I doubt whoever made the decision re this photo has ever served their country." Publication of the photographs, taken moments after a battle that left three Taleban militants dead, prompted an international outcry and shocked the Victoria Cross recipient's family. His birth certificate carries the first name “Bill” but he is known as Willie. Corporal Bill Henry “Willie” Apiata. If it's Willie Apiata, it's Willie Apiata. Early life Apiata was born in Mangakino, New Zealand. I mean let's get real here people: These are soldiers, fighting a war. While it’s clear Ruapehu College is extremely pleased to have him, Ohakune actually holds special significance for Apiata as it’s where his mum spent the longest period of her life growing up. Prime Minister John Key criticised media for publishing the images, which he said could lead the SAS to change its operations. I think publishing these photos is the wrong thing to do." Apiata took to a Harley Davidson last week to visit Waihi College, along with 10 other bikers, to talk to Year 10 students. * The elite soldiers were sent to Afghanistan three times between December 2001 and November 2005. Willie Apiata has paid tribute to his mother, calling her a hero who kept the family together through difficult times. That is what they sign up for, and a picture is not going to change this." * After a gruelling selection process, applicants are trained in skills including close-quarter battle, parachuting, mountaineering and diving. Corporal Willie Apiata won his VC-the first by a New Zealand soldier since World War II- for rescuing a wounded colleague under fire. Willie Apiata ran across a battlefield and pick someone up and carried him to safety in the Afghanistan war to save someone's life. Photo / NZ Herald. Canterbury University associate professor of journalism Jim Tully said the Defence Force had released images in the past where troops were identified but they were usually 'warm fuzzy shots" of soldiers carrying out reconstruction work or making friends with children. I carry it for my mates, my brotherhood.". Though she worried about Corporal Apiata, Mrs Paora said he was due to return home soon, and it was "his choice" to serve in Afghanistan with the SAS. "Do you know who I am?" Willie Apiata was born in 1972 in Mangakino while he spent his early childhood at Waima. Willie Apiata VC, born Bill Henry Apiata (born 28 June 1972 in Mangakino, New Zealand) is a Corporal in the New Zealand Special Air Service and the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. of [father unknown] and [mother unknown] [sibling(s) unknown] Father of Unknown Apiata. Her mum is buried there and Willie took the time to plant a tree by his grandmother’s graveside. They are what are important for me.". But he had chosen to stay and keep fighting until the end of his deployment, thought to be late next month. For her part, the monarch, who is 88 years old, cheerfully chatted to veterans, among them Corporal Mark Donaldson VC of the Australian Special Air Service and Corporal Willie Apiata … His parents separated and his youth was spent in Northland, before moving to Te Kaha in Eastland. Asked why, if there was an enhanced risk to Corporal Apiata, it remained unlikely he would return from duty, Mr Key said it was his choice to stay. She lives in Te Kaha - in the bush, no running water, no power," he said. Whilst playing rugby this year at the World Masters Games I had the privilege of meeting and shaking hands with Willie Apiata. "My family always comes first. * The SAS has been deployed to countries including Malaya, Borneo, Indonesia, Vietnam and Afghanistan. In October, Norway's defence chief told an Oslo newspaper the SAS had replaced a Norwegian special forces unit in Kabul. His parents split up and he wasn't in touch for his dad for several years. Born 1970s. The French photographer says he saw elite Kiwi soldiers emerge from a building where the bodies of three insurgents were later found. You were there for Queen and country. 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