Corporal Apiata with bust of Lord Freyberg, also a recipient of the Badge in Gold.
12 November 2007
Corporal Willie Apiata (VC for NZ) was awarded the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association’s (RNZRSA) most prestigious award, the Badge in Gold on Sunday 11 November, Armistice Day.
Corporal Apiata joins an elite group of military recipients of the Badge in Gold, such as Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, Major General Sir Howard Kippenberger and Field Marshall Sir Bernard Montgomery.
The Badge in Gold can only be granted on the recommendation of the RNZRSA’s National Executive Committee.
The Governor-General, the Hon Anand Satynand, who presented the award and is Patron of the RNZRSA, said Corporal Apiata had displayed great courage.
“Corporal Apiata's actions - in placing himself in extreme danger to save a critically wounded comrade - was a display of great gallantry, heroism and leadership. He is a fitting recipient of the Association's most prestigious award and a role model for other New Zealanders.”
Currently only there are only seven living holders of the Badge in Gold, including WWII Special Operatives veteran Nancy Wake, HRH Prince Philip and Sir Michael Hardie Boys.
Corporal Apiata said, “I am honoured and humbled to be nominated to receive this significant award. I am pleased to accept it on behalf of all service people in the New Zealand Defence Force.”
See images from the occasion at Latest Images.
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The Badge in Gold was instituted in 1920 and the first recipient was His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). Other recipients of the award have included royalty, Governors-General, Prime Ministers, military commanders and high ranking RSA members. In 2004 the Badge in Gold was awarded to the Unknown Warrior on his return to New Zealand in remembrance of all those New Zealand servicemen and women who never returned.