News For release
Thursday 29 May 2008
Penguin Books (NZ) to publish biography of New Zealand’s Victoria Cross winner Corporal Willie Apiata,VC
‘At 0900 on Sunday 01 July my Commanding Officer handed me three letters to read. The first was from the Governor
General, the second from the Prime Minister and the third was from the Minister of Defence. These letters informed me
that I had been awarded the Victoria Cross for New Zealand (VC).’
Cpl Bill (Willie) Apiata, VC.
Due to the overwhelming public interest in New Zealand’s newest hero, the NZ Defence Force have decided to allow the
life story of Corporal Apiata and the incredible actions which led to him being awarded the highest military honour in
the Commonwealth to be told. Corporal Apiata is the first New Zealander to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the 63 years
since the end of the Second World War.
Publisher Jeff Atkinson says:
‘This book will not only establish the place of Corporal Apiata in New Zealand’s history but will give an insight into
the nature of a man who is truly a reluctant hero. While to us his actions seemed extraordinary and heroic, Corporal
Apiata felt he was an ordinary Kiwi just ‘doing his job’.
The book, Willie Apiata VC – The Reluctant Hero, published by Penguin Group (NZ), will be released in November 2008.
ENDS