War hero Willie Apiata surprised Whakatāne residents yesterday on a walkabout in the main street selling poppies for Anzac Day.
"Gotta love NZ," said former Herald photographer Alan Gibson, who bumped into the soldier in full uniform and with the Victoria Cross pinned to his chest.
Gibson said Apiata was strolling around with a cardboard tray of poppies and creating a real buzz among shoppers.
He was really personable, people were coming to shake his hand, have a photo with him - "what an awesome ambassador".
Gibson said it was a great honour to meet Apiata in person, having once photographed him for the Herald when the soldier returned to his marae at the small community of Te Kaha near Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty after receiving the Victoria Cross in 2007.
