The trust was set up in memory of Papakura liquor magnate Michael Erceg, whose widow, Lynne, is a trustee. 24 April 2008. Courage to do with life, not war - VC man. Born on 28 June 1972 in Mangakino - in the central North Island - Willie Apiata was the youngest of four children with three older sisters. Late last year Mr Apiata signed up with Essentially Group, Mr Hopkins said, and was managed by Mr Alcock. Fire tears through Auckland apartment building, 'Violent' schizophrenic 501 to be deported to NZ, Person in a critical condition after multiple vehicle crash in Auckland, 29 schools decline Government-funded lunches, Transtasman test: Crusaders cling on in final seconds after Brumbies barrage, Would you pay more than $12,000 for a plant? From July 2000 to April 2001, Apiata served as a member of New Zealand''s third Battalion Group with the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. In 2004 having become a Lance Corporal, Apiata was stationed in Afghanistan as part of a New Zealand SAS patrol. Grenades destroyed one of the troop''s vehicles and immobilised another. The NRL club was bought last year by a syndicate headed by Kiwi sports lawyer Bart Campbell, a director of Essentially Group. "I'm glad he's still … Read more:• Apiata on love, war and Anzacs• Willie Apiata: My hero is my mother. I still don’t think i am a hero. The New Zealand troops had put up a defensive formation for the night when they were attacked by a group of around 20 enemy fighters. I cry, you know." His parents had separated when W illie was 2, his childhood spent at W aima in Northland. "I'm glad he's still … Bravery under fire WILLIE APIATA - 2007. Bill Apiata - 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Group. His life was inspiring, funny and magical. Bill Henry “Willie” Apiata (1972-) was born in Mangakino, New Zealand on 28th June 1972. The Dunedin-based lawyer, who has been involved with rugby contracts since the move to professionalism in 1995, could not be reached for comment yesterday. Jul 10, 2017 - Explore Mac Ericksen's board "SAS" on Pinterest. However, he was in a very exposed position and the enemy fire was becoming increasingly intense. 4 ม.ค. Willie Apiata was with the trust less than two years. 2017 - สำรวจบอร์ด "SAS- SASR" ของ Kasidin Phanyosri บน Pinterest ดูไอเดียเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับ ทหาร, ตำรวจ, กองกำลังพิเศษ We use cookies and analytics to provide you with a better experience on this site. Mr Apiata had been running the High Wire Trust's satellite camp at Awhitu Peninsula, which hosts at-risk youth for activities including high ropes, abseiling and kayaking. Victoria Cross My spirit is still. pg 141; Integrity is the biggest thing we have. Sweet as. "That's wrong - he hasn't left under a cloud or anything, Willie's left for other things, to advance his profile and do different things," said Mr Hopkins, who served with Mr Apiata in the Defence Force. Obama wrote. The Herald had been told that Mr Apiata became frustrated with the opportunities available to him at High Wire, but the trust's chief executive, David Hopkins, strongly denied that. War hero Willie Apiata leaves military. "He's also still in contact with the trust. I have chosen him for his bravery and his achievements which I personally look for in a role model and also he can stand up for himself Willie Apiata’s past life made him the war hero he is today. His parents separated when he was very young, and he has not had contact with his father for several years. On heroic women. On 2 July 2007, Corporal Willie Apiata was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery. Some people are fortunate to overcome horrific events than others.. New Zealand's only … ... “He’s also still in contact with the trust. New Zealand's only living Victoria Cross recipient had left the Defence Force to take up a role at Papakura's High Wire Charitable Trust. CORPORAL BILL ( 'WILLIE' ) APIATA HAS GIFTED HIS VICTORIA CROSS TO THE NEW ZEALAND SAS TRUST. Select from premium Willie Apiata of the highest quality. Mr Apiata is now being managed by experienced rugby player agent Warren Alcock of Essentially Group. Willie Apiata VC The Reluctant Hero. At that ceremony Corporal Apiata said he was still trying to deal with the enormity of having received such a prestigious honour. pg 202 ; I never had famous heroes, just people I knew. One Kiwi did. Find the perfect Willie Apiata stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. "If it wasn't for folks like Willie and Jackie Robinson, I might never have made it to the White House." Not for use in paid advertising.Please credit Tourism New Zealand. Willie Apiata has moved on from his job helping at-risk youth - and is now being handled by Richie McCaw's management team. He was serving with the New Zealand SAS. An "Essential Speakers" section on the group's website said it was launching this month. "I feel and I hurt just like everybody else. Happy 90th birthday to Willie Mays!" This was then followed by sustained fire from machine guns and further grenade attacks. Being Ever wondered why the Toyota Hilux 4X4 has been, and is still, the No1 ute in the NZ and Nelson Tasman? 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. "If it wasn't for folks like Willie and Jackie Robinson, I might never have made it to the White House." Bill Henry (Willie) Apiata. In 2007 Willie Apiata, of the NZ Army's elite SAS unit, was awarded the Victoria Cross for carrying a wounded soldier to safety while under fire in Afghanistan. Apiata carried ''D'' 70 meters through exposed ground and enemy fire - and miraculously neither man was hit. He also became the 22nd member of New Zealand defence forces to win a Victoria Cross, and the first to receive one since World War II. The first thing I see is a tribute to the well-known kaumātua and Waitangi stalwart Pita Paraone. Happy 90th birthday to Willie Mays!" Two other soldiers in or near the vehicle were wounded by shrapnel - one of them, who can only be identified as ''Corporal D'', was in a serious condition. Dame Patsy Reidy, Willie Apiata, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Robert Bom Gillies cut the ribbon to conclude the ceremony and we are welcomed to enter Te Rau Aroha. Photo / Richard Robinson, Nicholas Jones is an investigative reporter at the New Zealand Herald. Times are so different though and perhaps it's no surprise Lance Corporal Apiata's story is shrouded, still, in secrecy and modesty. Willie Apiata (C) is the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. So, rather than abandoning his fellow soldier to save himself, Apiata decided to carry ''D'' to a safer position where he could get proper medical attention. Apiata took control of the situation, as ''D'' was rapidly deteriorating. Check out our very own action man Willie Apiata in action with Marc Ellis. Corporal Bill Henry "Willie" Apiata was the first winner of the new Victoria Cross (VC) of New Zealand, which was instituted in 1999. Life goes on, I suppose.". His early childhood was spent at Waima in Northland before the family moved to Te Kaha when he was seven. Life goes on, I suppose.” Late last year Mr Apiata signed up with Essentially Group, Mr Hopkins said, and was managed by Mr Alcock. One of the grenade hits blew Apiata off the bonnet of the vehicle on which he was stationed. I was so worried about Willie's well being, I hadn't seen him in so long, but he is out of quarantine to bring me books! There's something about him, there's a real presence.". See more ideas about special air service, sas, special forces. NZ Governor General Anand Satyanand presided over the ceremony, and Prime Minister Helen Clark and Apiata’s fellow army colleagues were in attendance. He unsuccessfully attempted to join the Special Air Service in 1996. This content can be shared and edited for the purpose of promoting New Zealand as a visitor destination. theres willie apiata, pita paraone that's all. His was the only VC awarded to a New Zealander at Gallipoli, and is still the only award made to a signaller in any Commonwealth army. He's quite a nervy speaker, but man, when he was speaking you could hear a pin drop. They may not have a uniform but they can still be a hero . Who is the most recent person to get the victoria cross in New Zealand? Securing someone with the mana of Mr Apiata was a coup for the trust, but the move appears to have not worked out after less than two years. At this stage it looks like my main character may be working at one of the units of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals. When he was young he grew up on a farm. Corporal Bill Henry "Willie" Apiata was the first winner of the new Victoria Cross (VC) of New Zealand, which was instituted in 1999. You'll see why he was Fiji's Willie Apiata: "On June 23, 1944, at Mawaraka, Bougainville, in the Solomon Islands, Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu crawled forward to … Apiata then returned to resume the fight. "It was outstanding. Learn more. His father is Maori and his mother is Pakeha. His parents separated and his youth was spent in Northland, before moving to Te Kaha in Eastland. A grand uncle who served war with him was traumatised from war experiences for some time, he is still alive today.. Trauma does have an effect.. You can do different things to become or be a hero. Willie Apiata VC The Reluctant Hero. He also became the 22nd member of New Zealand defence forces to win a Victoria Cross, and the first to receive one since World War II. A separate homecoming ceremony was held in Apiata''s home town of Te Kaha. Find the perfect Talk:Willie Apiata stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Originally from the eastern Bay of Plenty township of Te Kaha, he has made several public appearances in recent months, including during April commemorations for the Battle of Gate Pa in Tauranga. It means a lot to me, to my family and the unit itself.". The international sport and entertainment marketing company's clients include All Blacks Richie McCaw and Dan Carter and cricketer Dan Vettori. Corporal Bill (Willy) Henry Apiata VC NZSAS Bill (Willy) Henry Apiata was born on 28 June 1972 in Mangakino in the Waikato. "To this day she is still the hardest-working lady I know. The most recent VC medal recipient Colonel Willie Apiata; Captain Charles Upham and Charles Heaphy. He won the award for rescuing an injured fellow soldier under enemy fire in Afghanistan in 2004. When Mr Apiata announced his move to High Wire, Prime Minister John Key said he was a loss to the Defence Force, but would prove a great role model for at-risk children. Willie’s a good man. Select from premium Talk:Willie Apiata of the highest quality. He left school … Mr Apiata is a former corporal in the SAS and received the VC in 2007 for bravery under fire in Afghanistan after carrying a gravely wounded comrade across a battlefield to safety. On Anzac Day, Mr Apiata made a public speech at Auckland's War Memorial Museum, in which he spoke of his own war experiences and what the day meant to him. This documentary had exclusive access to Corporal Apiata, from the moment he was told about the VC to his decision a few weeks later to gift the medal to the nation. When he was a teen he moved to T e kaha and attended t e-Whanau-a-apunia-area school. Apiata left school at 15 and enlisted in the New Zealand Army in 1989 in the Territorial Force Hauraki Regiment of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. Financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2013, show it received more than $3 million in donations, but a concern was a reliance on continuing support from the major benefactor. IN ACTION: Willie Apiata in Afghanistan. Epic. Willie Apiata was born in 1976 to parents who were maori and pakeha. His birth certificate carries the first name "Bill" but he is known as Willy By continuing to use this site, you agree with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Apiata is the only living New Zealander with a VC, the highest military honour. ''Corporal D'' had life-threatening injuries, and the other two soldiers began to apply first aid. "The spirit he played with and the way he carried himself changed the game and people's attitudes," he continued. The official ceremony to award the medal took place at Government House, Wellington. Check out our very own action man Willie Apiata in action with Marc Ellis. Victoria Cross winner Willie Apiata says his decision to leave the army was not taken lightly. On his return he became a full-time soldier, joining the SAS for training in early 2002. According to the Australian newspaper, Mr Apiata addressed the Melbourne Storm before their clash with the Warriors on the same day. My Maori hero was Willie Apiata because he was one of 165 holders of the caritas cross here is the biography i wrote on that week. Young Apiata "The spirit he played with and the way he carried himself changed the game and people's attitudes," he continued. Corporal Willie Apiata is one of two Māori officers to receive the VC. She lives in Te Kaha - in the bush, no running water, no power," he said. It has links with the armed forces, running an academy to help young people towards military careers. pg 203; Everyone makes mistakes but we learn from them. "I was only doing my job and looking after my mates. Who are some leaders that are still alive? Robert "Bom" Gillies, one of two survivors of the Māori Battalion, and Victoria Cross Winner Willie Apiata opened Te Rau Aroha, a museum dedicated the Maori Battalion which opened at … Willie Apiata has moved on from his job helping at-risk youth - and is now being handled by Richie McCaw's management team. Willie Apiata The role model I have chosen is Willie Apiata. Three other SAS soldiers also received bravery awards for actions during the same mission. It was here that he performed the act of bravery that led to his VC decoration. Photo: RNZ / Eden Fusitu'a. And it’s not easy having people tell you you’re one. "My family always comes first. Willie Apiata VC The Reluctant Hero. Two received the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration, and one the New Zealand Gallantry Medal. Willie's a good man. BILL APIATA VC. ''D'' was suffering from arterial bleeding and Apiata came to the conclusion that he needed urgent medical attention or he would die. Simon Collett, who helped organise the commemorations, said it was a thrill to have the war hero speak. Obama wrote. Travel Alert: Temporary border measures are in place. 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 official ceremony opening for Te Rau Aroha museum at Waitangi. Willie Apiata has moved on from his job helping at-risk youth – and is now being handled by Richie McCaw‘s management team. 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