1 August 2007
Media are invited to attend a homecoming for Corporal Willie Apiata VC at the Tukaki Marae, Te Kaha on August 11.
Tukaki Marae also has strong links to 2nd Lieutenant Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu VC, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 1943 for actions while serving with 28th Maori Battalion in Tunisia.
It is expected up to 3000 people will attend the homecoming for Corporal Apiata.
The event is led by the Tukaki Marae, with the New Zealand Defence Force and Te Puni Kokiri providing support on behalf of the New Zealand Government.
ENDS
Media wishing to attend the day need to register their interest with Dave Courtney, New Zealand Defence Force, by 5pm Friday August 3. He can be contacted on (04) 496 0296, (021) 487 980.
A schedule of the day’s event will be finalised early next week.
Media protocols for the day will be sent to registered media once this is done.