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Willie Apiata VC: The Reluctant Hero
Corporal Willie Apiata became the first New Zealander since the Second World War to be awarded the Commonwealth's highest military award for his actions with the NZ SAS in Afghanistan. From his early life in small town East Coast New Zealand to his actions in the deserts of Afghanistan, this is his story in his words. 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 most of us his actions seemed extraordinary and heroic, Corporal Apiata felt he was an ordinary Kiwi just 'doing his job'.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 29, 2015
Willie Apiata's story, from his childhood to the events in Afghanistan which led to him being the first (and only so far) recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. To explain - since 1999, New Zealand, as with most Commonwealth countries has had it's own honours system, separated from Britain. The award however, still retains its place as the highest honour bestowed on a member of the military for valour. Britain has awarded only 15 VCs since the end of World War II.
When Apiata was named as recipient, it really changed the playing field in New Zealand. Until recently the NZSAS were a shadowy group, who were anonymous, and whose operations were classified and recovered no media coverage. Apiata become public property.
For a man as modest and private as Apiata, this was the most uncomfortable situation he had ever been put in. Not that he had a choice, but he was told that the publicity was good for the SAS, and was good for New Zealand. Almost a public relations exercise, but one that many people can feel good about.
The book covers a lot of the story, mostly written by Paul Little, but there are frequent paragraphs by Apiata himself, which mixes it up a bit, making it more readable. Little seems in awe of Apiata, and for a man who so obviously does not need it, gushes a bit much.
His citation reads, in part "In total disregard of his own safety, Lance Corporal Apiata stood up and lifted his comrade bodily. He then carried him across the seventy metres of broken, rocky and fire swept ground, fully exposed in the glare of battle to heavy enemy fire and into the face of returning fire from the main Troop position. That neither he nor his colleague were hit is scarcely possible. Having delivered his wounded companion to relative shelter with the remainder of the patrol, Lance Corporal Apiata re-armed himself and rejoined the fight in counter-attack."
It is a particular type of person to be considered a hero in New Zealand. There are not many who make the grade - any sense of self importance, or an inflated opinion of oneself, and you have no chance. Apiata fits the bill well. He had no expectation, and his immediate response was that he didn't deserve a medal, and he was just doing his job. He is a humble and polite role model, and doesn't enjoy the limelight his is constantly in. He stands, with Sir Ed Hillary on a pretty uncrowded sort of podium.
When Apiata was named as recipient, it really changed the playing field in New Zealand. Until recently the NZSAS were a shadowy group, who were anonymous, and whose operations were classified and recovered no media coverage. Apiata become public property.
For a man as modest and private as Apiata, this was the most uncomfortable situation he had ever been put in. Not that he had a choice, but he was told that the publicity was good for the SAS, and was good for New Zealand. Almost a public relations exercise, but one that many people can feel good about.
The book covers a lot of the story, mostly written by Paul Little, but there are frequent paragraphs by Apiata himself, which mixes it up a bit, making it more readable. Little seems in awe of Apiata, and for a man who so obviously does not need it, gushes a bit much.
His citation reads, in part "In total disregard of his own safety, Lance Corporal Apiata stood up and lifted his comrade bodily. He then carried him across the seventy metres of broken, rocky and fire swept ground, fully exposed in the glare of battle to heavy enemy fire and into the face of returning fire from the main Troop position. That neither he nor his colleague were hit is scarcely possible. Having delivered his wounded companion to relative shelter with the remainder of the patrol, Lance Corporal Apiata re-armed himself and rejoined the fight in counter-attack."
It is a particular type of person to be considered a hero in New Zealand. There are not many who make the grade - any sense of self importance, or an inflated opinion of oneself, and you have no chance. Apiata fits the bill well. He had no expectation, and his immediate response was that he didn't deserve a medal, and he was just doing his job. He is a humble and polite role model, and doesn't enjoy the limelight his is constantly in. He stands, with Sir Ed Hillary on a pretty uncrowded sort of podium.
December 19, 2008
New Zealanders are very particular about our heroes. For New Zealanders to bestow the title ‘hero’ upon someone, he or she must not only perform great deeds but also possess exceptional character. Above all else New Zealanders value humility in heroes, a virtue the late Sir Edmund Hillary, the greatest New Zealand hero of modern times, exemplified.
Willie Apiata – VC - A Reluctant Hero by Paul Little is a biography/memoir of Apiata, the first New Zealander since World War Two to receive the Victoria Cross. A Reluctant Hero traces Apiata’s life, from his rural upbringing in Te Kaha, to his act of bravery that won him the VC, to his struggle with fame after receiving his award.
Apiata’s story is mainly told by Little, which is fitting for a humble man like Apiata who finds it uncomfortable to talk at length about himself. Nevertheless, Apiata himself pitches in a paragraph or two in each chapter, making this book a mix of biography and memoir. Given that Little cites no sources, I presume that Apiata himself is the primary source of information for A Reluctant Hero.
A Reluctant Hero is light, easy and relatively short for a biography, making it no wonder that it has topped the bestseller charts just around the summer Christmas shopping time. It’s also great to see a male role model emerge, when so many are worried about the future of New Zealand boys.
The main factor that brought down A Reluctant Hero for me is Paul Little’s writing. At every turn he constantly and shamelessly sings the praises of Apiata and the NZSAS. While objectivity is difficult to attain for any biographer, especially the authorised variety, Little could have at least tried. His endless schoolgirl gushing over Apiata’s wonderfulness wears thin quickly and seems glaringly inappropriate given Apiata’s own humility. Little would have offered a far more powerful portrayal if he let the facts of Apiata’s life, actions, and words speak for themselves.
All things considered, Apiata is an exceptional New Zealander deserving the title ‘hero’ we reserve for so few, and his life story is worth a read.
Willie Apiata – VC - A Reluctant Hero by Paul Little is a biography/memoir of Apiata, the first New Zealander since World War Two to receive the Victoria Cross. A Reluctant Hero traces Apiata’s life, from his rural upbringing in Te Kaha, to his act of bravery that won him the VC, to his struggle with fame after receiving his award.
Apiata’s story is mainly told by Little, which is fitting for a humble man like Apiata who finds it uncomfortable to talk at length about himself. Nevertheless, Apiata himself pitches in a paragraph or two in each chapter, making this book a mix of biography and memoir. Given that Little cites no sources, I presume that Apiata himself is the primary source of information for A Reluctant Hero.
A Reluctant Hero is light, easy and relatively short for a biography, making it no wonder that it has topped the bestseller charts just around the summer Christmas shopping time. It’s also great to see a male role model emerge, when so many are worried about the future of New Zealand boys.
The main factor that brought down A Reluctant Hero for me is Paul Little’s writing. At every turn he constantly and shamelessly sings the praises of Apiata and the NZSAS. While objectivity is difficult to attain for any biographer, especially the authorised variety, Little could have at least tried. His endless schoolgirl gushing over Apiata’s wonderfulness wears thin quickly and seems glaringly inappropriate given Apiata’s own humility. Little would have offered a far more powerful portrayal if he let the facts of Apiata’s life, actions, and words speak for themselves.
All things considered, Apiata is an exceptional New Zealander deserving the title ‘hero’ we reserve for so few, and his life story is worth a read.
August 24, 2023
Absolute epic, this book went into some detail on his early life, his first jobs, and his personality. He genuinely seems like a classic kiwi dude that was presented with a hero situation, and handled it beautifully. Great man, great inspiration, epic book.
February 25, 2024
A good biography of New Zealand's only post WW 2 VC winner. Is definitely worth reading for anyone interested.
October 18, 2025
Enjoyable book to read and a good insight into the story of Apiata's VC
May 6, 2023
A man that hates the spotlight and fame. Truly humble and courageous man! Enjoyable to read his story.
May 24, 2015
I decided to read 'Willie Apiata, VC: The Reluctant Hero' because I had heard stories of how Willie Apiata had been awarded the Victoria's Cross for extreme bravery but I was unsure why he had been awarded it. After I had read the blurb, which started off like this: "On a dark and cold Afghanistan hilltop, Lance Corporal Willie Apiata was trapped at the front of a major fire-fight with suspected Taliban fighters. One of his mates was bleeding to death and they were pinned down by an intense enemy machine gun and rocket fire" I decided that I had to start reading the book straight away. Obviously, the character which I found most interesting was Willie Apiata (seeing as the book is about him and his life). I liked how determined he was. For example, when he was told that he could not be in the SAS because he failed his tests, he went away and trained until he felt that he was ready to take the tests again. I also was inspired by how brave he was and by how he valued everyone else's lives as much, if not more than, his own. My favourite setting was definitely Afghanistan, specifically the hilltop on which Willie performed his heroics. I liked this setting so much because it was the place that the troops were located when I found out what I originally read the book for, it was also the place that the whole story had been building up to and it was very well described, I felt as though I was right there next to Willie when he saved his mate. In the scene Willie describes his mate's wound like this: "Turn a tap on right now and hear the water hitting the sink - that was the sound of his blood pouring out and hitting the ground". Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I am very glad that I decided to read 'Willie Apiata, VC: The Reluctant Hero' and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in a very interesting life.
February 26, 2013
I think this is a very good story of willie's life from the very start
July 7, 2013
Fantastic. I really really enjoyed this autobiography. I love how humble Willie Apiata is. Incredible and definitely well worth the read. Makes you proud to be a kiwi.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews