KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of your messages:
Walker Whanau (Te Kaha)
Congratulations William. You have made Te Whanau-A-Apanui so very proud. How wonderful for you and especially for your mum. I can image how proud she must be. You are awesome. Our aroha and deepest respect to you and your whanau.
Ben M Bartlett
Dear Cpl Apiata, I don't know you personally, but I felt a real swell of kiwi pride as I read the details of your act of bravery. Thanks for reminding me that sometimes we have to stick our necks on the line when helping a mate in need. Cheers Bro.
And Graeme Henry. Here's the bloke you need for the AB's pre-match pep talks.
MJ
Hey bro, I didn't know you until today. It's about time the guys at the work face get recognised for what they do. Well done. We are all proud of you and the team. .
Jean
Well done! Congratulations to the woman who gave birth to such a brave human being. Amazing that in this day in date we have courageous heroes like you!
Little liz
An amazing achievement Corporal Apiata which makes me so proud to be Maori and a Kiwi. Congratulations also to the other soldiers who also received commendations. The recent programme on the SAS highlighted how difficult it was to become an SAS member and how highly regarded the unit is internationally - Kia kaha!
Ex-Medic
Nice one. If I see you in a pub it's my shout.
Greg
Well done Cpl Apiata! Our Army still continues to show great mana and courage that was shown in the 1st and 2nd War. Te Kaha.
Craig Muir
In a world where the term hero is so often misused, you epitomise for me, the true meaning of the word.
You and your SAS mates do us proud. Thank you.
Christchurch
It is wonderful that your bravery has been honoured in this way. The rest of us are so fortunate to have you and other armed forces personnel protecting our interests and helping those in other countries. Congratulations a million times, you certainly deserve the recognition. Yes you were doing your job -but in a career you have chosen you obviously approach it with bravery and compassion - something your mate will always be grateful for and the entire country will always be proud of. Well done!
Richie Rich (Auckland)
Well done Cpl Apiata - you truly deserve this honour for such an unselfish act of heroism. You may have been "just doing your job", but without people like you, we may not be here. I'll definitely have a couple of beers in your honour tonight - you are a true inspiration and role model for ALL New Zealanders - be they Maori, Pakeha, Asian, Polynesian, or any other of the diverse races in this great country of ours. You've done us proud, mate!
Bruce and Mary Te Kaha
Wills we are all so proud of you down here. Good luck for the future for you and your family.
Adam
You are a credit to your country and family. Go well.
Hal, Te Kaha
Bloody marvellous, bro! You make us proud. Kia kaha!
Tony Fernandez
Good on you Cpl. Apiata! You do your fellow Kiwis proud!
Lloyd (Hobsonville)
Bravo Zulu! A feat of great courage, selflessness and a fantastic example to the nation's youth, well done!
Peter (Christchurch)
Congratulations on your award. A proud tribute to yourself and your fellow warriors who serve to defend our freedoms that others have fought and sacrificed for. Thank you and good luck.
James
"Only doing your job" is an understatement, we (civilians) will never comprehend what you and your comrades go through and have gone through. We all sleep better knowing that guys like you are out there achieving the impossible. It's an outstanding achievement and I'm sure a few beers will be raised in your name tonight!
Malcolm Glenn
As an ex-pat Kiwi living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA I feel very proud to be able to tell my American friends of what you have achieved. You are a credit to New Zealand, to Maori, and all of us who believe in Freedom.
Pabs
If this man ever has to buy a beer for himself again, I'll leave NZ. Shot, mate.
Maddy
Well done congratulations, it shows your courage and selfless service to the country.
Pat Deady (Waikouaiti)
Corporal Willy, so proud of you and what you have achieved. Best wishes.
Scott (Wellington)
Well done Cpl Apiata. You and your team are without equal in the military world and it is about time your wonderful efforts were recognised and rewarded. Good luck with the rest of your career.
Ozbob (Brisbane)
Well done Corporal Bill Apiata VC. An outstanding recognition for your bravery of the highest order. Congratulations.
Captain R B Dow RAAMC (Ret'd)
Kiwi in the USA
Congratulations. It makes me proud to be a NZer when I read of the heroism of the NZ forces overseas. We may not be many but we a strong, brave and true. To coin a USA phrase - thank you for your service.
Cath & Warwick Mitchell (Auckland)
Congratulations Corporal Apiata - so thrilled for you that your gallantry has been recognised with the VC. Men such as you seem to be rare in today's world - selfless and brave. Enjoy the kudos it brings - we're so proud of and for you.
Mike
Well done! Not very often these days when one feels a swell of kiwi pride! This is one of those moments when we should all be proud regardless of our political and moral persuasions! You and your family have done us all proud! Well done! Come home safely won't you.
Bruce Hill
Congratulations and my very best wishes. A great effort on your part. Bruce Hill (ex-SSM NZSAS)
Des
Congratulations to Corporal Apiata for being awarded the Victoria Cross.
Having read the citation it is a true recognition to a very courageous man who put his mate before him. Most pleasing to read also that as a result of Corporal Apiata that Corporal D is back on active duty. A great result all round.
Andrew (Auckland)
Corporal Apiata, congratulations on your award. You and your fellow soldiers continue to uphold the proud history of New Zealanders fighting on behalf of our nation. I am pleased to see that your courage and selflessness is being recognised. This kiwi is full of gratitude for all of those who serve in the armed forces.
Sony Ambudi
Salam, peace, God bless you and your family for the ultimate good deed you have done in Afghanistan. May God give us the courage like you have in keeping the peaceful society of New Zealand.
Salam, peace.
Nik Warrensson U771622
You make us proud bro.
Tino Pai!
A very proud Maori
Ka nui taku mihi ki a Corporal Willy Apiata mo tona whiwhinga ki te taonga, te VC. Ko ia he tangata tino toa, he tangata kei te kii tona ngakau i te aroha.
I am so very proud of Corporal Willy. My mother-in-law, Rarua Insley (nee Butler) is a first cousin to the late Moana Ngarimu and we at Te Whanau a Apanui are proud that he too was awarded the VC. But Corporal Willy is alive and hopefully will be able to celebrate this special award with his whanau and friends - he so deserves it.
Naku noa, na Marcia Insley (Omaio)
Richard D
I think it's great when a kiwi solider does the right thing and looks after his mates. Makes me proud and greatfull to be a New Zealander. Thank you for your heroism.
McAulay Family (Papakura)
Congratulations Cpl Apiata, your actions and devotion to duty and your comrades are inspirational to us all and reflect the proud heritage of your unit and your country.
Bubba 1RNZIR 97-03
Congrats Willy, good on ya bro. I remember when you moved into my barracks, in the room next to me before your stint in Timor. You've done us proud.
Kai kaha, onward.
Guy (Tararua)
Congratulations to Corporal Apiata. Well done and a true example of heroism and bravery. Your actions under fire and at great personal risk should be held up to all New Zealanders as an example of how to be a true human being. Kia Kaha Ake Ake
Snoop (South Korea)
Dear Toa-a-nui
You are a real true TOA that makes me proud to be a Maori again. I have many uncles who fought during the world war 1 & 2 and other campaigns etc. I guess you would know some of them as they are all from the East Coast. I am of Te whanau-apa-nui decent. Kia kaha e koe toa-a-nui.
Selwyn Wharepapa, South Korea
Sean K
Well done Willy, and to all the NZ troops over in Afghanistan. You've made my day.
John
Stunning achievement! Wow, what more can you say?
Terry Culley
Hi Willy, congratulations on being recognised with this award. The citation says it all - you are a true NZSAS warrior.
Terry Culley
4 Troop NZSAS Vietnam
Hughie ex-Squadron medic (Wellington)
Just awesome! What more can one say from an original SAS Member 55-57.
Phil (Auckland)
Dear Corporal Apiata,
You are an inspiration to us all who rely on you and your comrades to do battle for us civilians. Having read your citation, I am in awe that such selfless bravery is still abound in the world today. You deserve this esteemed award. I know you will wear it with pride and be recognised throughout the military world as going "Above and Beyond".
Nganehu Whatu
Kia Ora Willy
From Nessie formerly of Mangakino, I was very proud to read of your bravery in the Herald.
Congratulations on receiving the VC.
Dean, Qld
Kia Ora Willy.
Well done bro from the bro's in Iraq.
Kia Kaha
Deano
Melisha
This story makes me so proud to be a kiwi. What a tremendous uplifting true story.
Jacqui (Wellington)
Corporal Willy Apiata, you make New Zealanders very proud. Thank you for your extraordinary efforts. You rock!
Jag Thripp
It makes me proud to be a human being, to hear of such commitment and heroism for your mate(s). To carry your wounded "mate" and comrade to safety when your own life could have been at risk is heroic, well done.
Margaret Spencer
Bill,
You make me so proud to be a New Zealander.
I salute you sir for your courage.
Scott
Congratulations and thank you to Corporal Willy Apiata for his heroism and bravery. What an inspiration!!