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.