1. Willie Apiata
The role model I have chosen is Willie Apiata. 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. When he was young he
grew up on a farm. His life was inspiring, funny and magical. He had quite a lot of
stamina in him and he still does. He was born on a farm in Mangakino in 1972.Willie
and his sister’s always lived near a forest and would go play during the day and would
catch eels. Willie always use to hang round with his sister except when he played with
his toy soldiers, that was his first bit of interest in the army. When he was more
mature he would go hunting on his horse. When his dad left Willie was the only male
in the house. His mum made him play rugby. Willie liked rugby. His coach name was
Reuben, he made them train so hard they would ache but they would stop them
getting hurt in the game he said. Before competitions they would do a 5k run then an
800m swim to a marae. Once they reach the marae they would do weight lifting. He
was only 10 yrs old. Reuben his coach took interest in Willie and acted like his dad,
he taught Willie lots of skills in life which helped him in the army and also the
hunting which improved his capability with guns.
One day Willie Apiata joined the army and got into the territorial’s. He did 21 days a
year so he had another job Cray potting. His team was asked to help the SAS
(Special Air Service) in an exercise of tracking. The SAS were the best at it. Willie
wanted to join the SAS but had to work for the Territorials. Then Willie got his
chance and had a 9 day course which he didn’t get through. Then again he got
another chance this time he got in. Not long after that he was sent to Afghanistan.
A normal day was patrolling with his team. They had been out asking locals for
information of where to find the Commander. That night they camped on some high
ground under a wagon that gave them protection. Willie couldn’t see everywhere but
it was the safest place to camp. During the night RPG’s (Rocket Propelled Grenades)
were fired towards them, they didn’t know where they came from. At that moment
Willie then started to hear machine gun fire. The wagon that the SAS squad were
under started getting shot at from all directions. Willie had been taught how to get out
of these situations so he went to the back of the vehicle. Only him and another mate
got to the back then the third person came around and he was badly injured. Blood
was coming out like water hitting a sink. Willie’s best mate was hit in the artery in
his arm. His other team mate grabbed the first aid kit at this point the wagon was on
fire. An SAS vehicle came to their rescue, shots were still being fired. Willie had the
wounded soldiers arm around his shoulder, but the soldier passed out. Willie picked
him up and flung him over his shoulder like a dead pig. Willie had to run up a hill
and get out of the firing range. Willie was a sitting duck, somehow he made it to the
medical wagon. When he knew the in juried soldier was in safe hands he grabbed a
gun and ran towards the firefight, his anger made him more confident. After more
reinforcements arrived the enemy retreated. His mate who he had carried to safety
survived thanks to Willies bravery. His Commander put him up for a medal. On 2nd

2. July 2007 Apiata was awarded the Victoria Cross, the only NZ’er to get it since
WW2.
Willie Apiata has shown a positive attitude throughout his life. He is brave and cares
for others. When he was in Afghanistan it took guts to take his team mate though all
the firing. He is a risk taker. Willie showed this as he risked his life for his country
and his fellow soldiers. His physical fitness allows him to run around in all the gear
he wears and the stamina he has comes from the training from what he learnt from
being in the rugby team. He has a good personality.
So there is most of the information about Willie Apiata from being a child to joining
the army and the day that changed his life. You may value a different role model but
Willie Apiata is my role model.
By Bradley Hall
Bibliography
Internet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/willie_apiata
http://www.army.mil.nz/at-a-glamce/events/cpl-apiata-vc/wiwa.htm
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/new-zealander-of-the-
year/news/article.cfmc_id=1501017&objectid=10482443
http://militaryhistory.suite101.com/aricle.cfm/copral_bill_henry_willie_apiata_vc
http://www.smh.com.au/world/kiwi-controversy-after-sas-war-hero-willie-apiata-
photograph-20100122-moqy.html?autostart=1
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/photographer-willie-apiata-there-to-fight-3338308
Books
Name
Willie Apiata, VC the reluctant hero
Author
Paul Little and John Locker
Published
2oo9
Made by
Puffin books