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A Humble Hero's Welcome
Posted May 2008
Several thousand people gathered at the Treaty Grounds on 3rd May this year to witness one of the most impressive welcome ceremonies (powhiri) of recent times. The occasion was the welcome back to his Ngapuhi roots of Corporal Willie Apiata, the celebrated recent recipient of the Victoria Cross.
As a “man of the land” Cpl Apiata VC chose to approach the historic precinct up the Nias Track, where so many historic figures had made their entry from the time of the first signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Simultaneous calls of Kai Karanga from throughout Te Tai Tokerau created a spine-chilling welcome, as Cpl Apiata was faced with lively traditional challenges from Ngapuhi warriors.
The man dubbed a reluctant hero greeted a long line of well wishers in the traditional manner of nose-pressing or hongi, and speeches from national and local dignitaries and numerous waiata (songs) extended through the afternoon.
It is hard to imagine a more moving ceremony, and widespread media reports from the day encapsulated the high emotions and absolutely appropriate setting of the Treaty Grounds for the return of an honoured son of Ngapuhi.
Lois Williams from Radio New Zealand filed the following report:
Saturday was a day of dramatic ceremony and high emotion at Waitangi, as Ngapuhi welcomed home Corporal Willie Apiata, VC.
Corporal Apiata, who was decorated for valour in combat in Afghanistan, left Northland as a child, but is Ngapuhi by birth. Marae from across Tai Tokerau turned out to honour him in a lengthy and colourful powhiri.
Corporal Apiata, an SAS soldier who was decorated last year for his valour in combat in Afghanistan, was born in Northland and has already been honoured by iwi in the eastern Bay of Plenty, where he grew up.
On Saturday, his father's people, Ngapuhi, joined a crowd of about 2,000 to do the same.
The spine-tingling sounds of conches and bugles heralded the arrival of Corporal Apiata as he led a large group of his adopted iwi, Te Whanau a Apanui, up the path to the treaty grounds. Draped in a korowai, carrying a greenstone mere, and with his diminutive mother at his side, New Zealand's only living Victoria Cross recipient was met by a rare honour - a 15-minute, three-warrior challenge. atching intently, he picked up three taki - a taiaha, a patu and the headbands of the warriors - which were laid at his feet in the ultimate act of respect. gati Hine kaumatua Erima Henare said the three challenge taki was reserved for special occasions. "Today is clearly special."
Prayers, speeches, haka and waiata continued over the next four hours, as iwi, RSA veterans and defence chiefs looked on.
Willie Apiata was reminded that he is of Ngati Hine descent - a line famous for its warriors, from the great chief Kawiti to the Maori Battalion commander Sir James Henare. Relatives he had never met before wept as they presented him with treasures, including a stone mere named for his ancestor who died at the battle of Ruapekapeka. Corporal Apiata says he will keep the taonga close to his heart.
In a voice cracked with emotion he made his reply, saying everyone there was united. Proud Maori, proud people, proud New Zealanders - we are all one. The most important thing ... is the people, the people, is the people."
Kaumatua, kuia and pakeha leaders attended the ceremony, along with Defence Force chiefs and politicians. Maori Party MP Hone Harawira told Corporal Apiata it was a joy and privilege to welcome him home.
Ngapuhi elder and army veteran Kingi Taurua invited Corporal Apiata to come back again to Waitangi without any formalities, put down a hangi and get to know his Ngapuhi whanau.
And Wille Apiata - the reluctant hero - says he will back to visit his rediscovered Northland whanau in the not too distant future.
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