Corporal Willy Apiata is known to the nation as a man of few words.
But as the Victoria Cross recipient was welcomed home to Te Kaha yesterday, no words were needed to express his emotions.
The welling in his eyes said it all.
Hundreds of friends and whanau gathered at Tukaki Marae
to congratulate a man who, only weeks ago, was just Willy from Te Kaha.
But since early July and the announcement the Special Air Force soldier would be awarded New Zealand's highest military honour, Corporal Apiata has become a national hero.
But his mother, Shirley, and three sisters Debs, Helen and Gwen told the Daily Post he had always been their hero.
"When we heard he had been awarded the Victoria Cross [for what he did in Afghanistan] it was a great feeling but I wouldn't expect anything else from him," Debs said.
"That's just the brother I have always known and loved."
She admitted her mum had been proud, excited and nervous since learning her son was to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
"And I can imagine that's about how she's feeling now standing here waiting for him."
Surrounded by whanau and friends, Cpl Apiata's mum looked every bit the local as people came over to hug and congratulate her.
But her face filled with pride as the man of the moment arrived.
After linking arms with his father's uncles Pita Apiata and Tamati Paraone, Cpl Apiata walked toward his family and then, as a group, they were welcomed to Tukaki by Ngati Porou and Whanau-a-Apanui.
The haka performed by the welcoming hapu brought tears to his eyes.
Only four hours before Cpl Apiata's welcome, the Ngati Porou (East Coast) hapu had walked on to Tukaki.
Included in their midst were the whanau of Lieutenant Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, the first Maori recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Lt Ngarimu's whanau were rumoured to have taken his medal to Te Kaha yesterday.
