Willie Apiata Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Willie Apiata
Apiata in 2020
Nickname(s)	Willie
Born	(1972-06-28) 28 June 1972 (age 52) Mangakino, New Zealand
Allegiance	New Zealand
Service/branch	New Zealand Army
Years of service	1989–2012
Rank	Warrant Officer Class One
Service number	M181550
Unit	6th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment New Zealand Special Air Service
Battles/wars	East Timor War in Afghanistan
Awards	Victoria Cross for New Zealand

Willie Apiata is a New Zealand soldier known for his incredible bravery. He was the first person to receive the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. This special award is given for extreme courage in battle. Willie earned his medal in 2007 for saving a wounded friend during a fight in Afghanistan in 2004. He carried his friend to safety while under enemy fire.

The Victoria Cross for New Zealand is a very rare medal. Willie Apiata is the only person to have received it so far. It replaced an older medal called the Imperial Victoria Cross in 1999. Willie is also the second Māori soldier to receive a Victoria Cross while serving with New Zealand forces. He gave all his medals, including his Victoria Cross, to New Zealand. In 2008, he was even named the "most trusted New Zealander" after Sir Edmund Hillary.

Early Life and Background
Military Career Highlights
- Serving in Afghanistan
- Leaving Full-Time Service
Victoria Cross Award
- Receiving the Medal
- Donating the VC to the Nation
Medals and Honours
- RSA Badge in Gold
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Background

Willie Apiata was born in Mangakino, New Zealand, on June 28, 1972. His father is Māori and his mother is Pākehā. He spent his early childhood in Waima before moving to Te Kaha when he was seven. He went to Te Whanau-a-Apanui Area School in Te Kaha and left when he was 15 years old.

Willie is connected to the Ngāpuhi iwi (tribe) through his father. He also has strong ties to Te Whānau-ā-Apanui because he grew up there. His home marae (a meeting place for Māori communities) is Ngati Kawa Marae. The special ceremony where he received the Victoria Cross was held at Tukaki Marae in Te Kaha. Willie has three sons.

Military Career Highlights

Willie Apiata joined the New Zealand Army on October 6, 1989. He first joined the Territorial Force, which is like a part-time army. In 1996, he tried to join the Special Air Service (SAS), but it didn't work out that time.

From 2000 to 2001, he served in East Timor. He was part of a New Zealand group helping the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. When he came back, he became a full-time soldier. In 2001, he tried again to join the SAS and this time he was successful.

Serving in Afghanistan

Willie Apiata went back to Afghanistan with the NZSAS in 2009. This was when the New Zealand government decided to send troops there again. In January 2010, there were attacks in Kabul. Willie was photographed by a French journalist named Philip Poupin while leaving the fighting.

The journalist didn't know who Willie was, but he took photos because Willie and his companions "looked tough and strong." One of these photos was printed in many New Zealand newspapers. This led the Prime Minister, John Key, to confirm that Willie was one of the soldiers in the picture.

Leaving Full-Time Service

Around July 2012, Willie Apiata left full-time military service. He wanted to teach adventure skills to young people. He didn't completely leave the Army, though. He is still part of the NZSAS Reserve Forces. In May 2024, Willie was promoted to honorary warrant officer class one.

Victoria Cross Award

Receiving the Medal

The official ceremony for Willie Apiata's Victoria Cross happened on July 26, 2007. It was held at Government House in Wellington. The Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand, led the ceremony. The Prime Minister Helen Clark and Willie's army friends were also there. A separate celebration was held in his hometown of Te Kaha.

Willie Apiata, along with other Victoria Cross recipients, attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. He also represented medal recipients at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla.

Donating the VC to the Nation

In April 2008, Willie Apiata gave his Victoria Cross of New Zealand medal to the NZSAS Trust. He did this so that "the medal is protected for future generations." Even though he donated it, Willie and his family can still wear the medal.

Medals and Honours

Willie Apiata has received several medals for his service. These are worn on his uniform:

Victoria Cross for New Zealand
New Zealand Operational Service Medal
East Timor Medal
United Nations Mission in East Timor Medal (UNAMET)
New Zealand General Service Medal for Afghanistan
NATO Medal for the Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
King Charles III Coronation Medal
New Zealand Defence Service Medal

He is also allowed to wear the emblem of the US Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation. This is worn on the right side of his uniform.

RSA Badge in Gold

On Armistice Day, November 11, 2007, Willie Apiata received a special award. It was the Badge in Gold, the highest honour from the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association (RSA). The Governor-General, Anand Satyanand, presented him with this award. He also received a lifetime membership to the RSA.