ANZAC DAY | Convo with Willie Apiata VC & Some of His Bro's

This conversation took place at the end of a beautiful day in Whakatāne New Zealand at Willie Apiata VC's home. We spoke about Anzac Day with Willie and some of his Bro's.
We particularly spoke about the events from the Day - Saturday 23rd April 2022. The day before (22nd April) Willie Apiata VC contacted some of his Brothers and invited them to join him in getting out in the community and handing out some poppies in preparation for ANZAC Day.
They obviously ALL accepted - Hopefully this conversation helps you get a bit more of an understanding of what drives Willie to do what he does, and at the same time get a bit of an insight into some of the relationships and bonds that connect servicemen and Women and their families, regardless of where they served and/or for how long.
We have a bit of a laugh at each other expense - but to be honest the biggest laughs were had when I didn't have the camera rolling.
Kia ora Willie, Willie's Son Barton, (Willie's Mum - Mum), Hayley and her Mum, Karl or Carl 😂 Sorry bro didn't ask you how you spell your name, Aaron, and Mac.
Also BIG Thank you to the Whakatāne RSA and to the incredible and generous people of Whakatāne. Your support and generosity was simply amazing to behold.
Special thank you to Nikolao, Dion, Todd and Allan for their brief and personal messages on what Anzac Day means to them. We thank you so much for doing that. Next year we'll look to give more notice. 💯 👊
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them
We will remember them.
E kore rātou e kaumātuatia, Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei.
E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore Ahakoa pehea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā.
I te hekenga atu o te rā, Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata,
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.
LEST WE FORGET!
Apologies - We couldn't use "The Last Post" without breeching copyright.

[@reonwikeepa4905]

we love you Willie.we really do

[@mistymorning]

Great korero guys Thanks to all ANZACS past and present for defending our Nation's and freedom. We love a bit of rivalry with our Aussie brothers but when times are tough we are whanau Least we forget . I'm a UK based Kiwi and it amaze's me how much they acknowledge and appreciate the contribution /sacrifice ANZACS have made as allies. Kapai.

[@EpichAotearoa]

Tena Koe - Thanks very much for your comments and giving us some of your valuable time. Much appreciated and 💯 agree with everything you've mentioned here. 🙏 👊 💯

[@LadyOaksNZ]

Blessed to know we have humble courageous heroes past present and future - standing in the gap for us all. . . prepared to sacrifice their lives for our country. Huge Aroha and Respect to Willie Apiata VC. ❤️🙏🙏

[@sjcampbell9577]

Beautiful, guys. Your sublime humility comes from a place that few of us ever get to go to, but we should all have the upmost respect for those who do.

[@owenarthur5185]

Love this Joe! Thank you for sharing with us the stories of these humble men. Uncle Alan Osman is a wonderful man I’ve grown up with his Sons.

[@EpichAotearoa]

Respect Owen - thanks for giving some of your time bro and for your kind support. 💯 👊 🙏 Much appreciated.

[@rata4878]

Kiaora Willie VC, Ex-Servicemen and Whānau for the korero. Sending positive energy and aroha ☝🏽❤️

[@trevdm8172]

Great work Joe. Awesome to see Shep and Willie out and about. WDW

[@EpichAotearoa]

🙏 you Bro WDW 👊

[@bartbug1]

What an awesome vid Joe, and to share time with a heap of nice blokes. A beautiful video!

[@EpichAotearoa]

Cheers Brother - Much appreciated mate 💯 👊

[@Tom-yk1qj]

Great video

[@LadyOaksNZ]

Can you imagine in World War 2 being a German running into the Maori Battalion - crapping your pants at the sound n sight of hundreds of Maori soldiers in the midst of battle coming at you with the haka? Hitler's main man Rommel said if Germany had had the Maori Battalion they'd have won the war. The British F.M Montgomery said if the Allies didn't have the Maori Battalion on their side they'd have lost the war. Nga mihi.

[@tonystewart7287]

Awesome

[@gulaggreens296]

Respect from 🇦🇺

[@EpichAotearoa]

Chur! 👊 🙏 💯

[@larniete-puki7651]

Great Work Joe Great Insight - ONWARD WDW

[@EpichAotearoa]

Cheers brother it was a great day. Hope yr ANZAC Day was a great one mate 👊💯

[@AlbertCLENDON-te2hg]

Kia Ora Matua for you service

[@hannaytaofinuu2761]

Awesome watch 🙏

[@EpichAotearoa]

Great to hear - thank you for giving some of your time to have a watch/listen. 💯 🙏 👊

[@johnzjitsu]

i want friends like this. 🙂

[@Iswhatitisssss]

THE TOUGH TABLE. MEAN MĀORIS MEAN !!

[@EpichAotearoa]

Appreciate you Rob, thanks for giving of your time to have a listen mate. In the world today, time is in short supply, so whenever someone gives of their time to have a listen we're truly grateful. Appreciate you bro - thank you again 💯 🤝 👊

[@ibringtherain7669]

Malo Willie! I knew it was you in the Farmers Pukekohe when I seen you😂 You know a Man’s, Man when you see one. This fellar the real deal, even the G’s respect Willie Apiata. Malo Toko🫡💯

[@jtthomas]

Awesome kōrero🤝🏾

[@Moosie24]

Happy Anzac Day

[@EpichAotearoa]

Cheers mate 💯 👊

[@johntepu1869]

He pai rawa atu te kaupapa (Poppy Day) nei. It’s a precious Maori taonga that was handed down through the generations “Manaakitanga ki te iwi, ahakoa no whea, ko wai ranei”. No reira, ma te Atua koutou hei manaaki, hei tiaki i nga wa katoa, paimarire

[@EpichAotearoa]

Arohanui ki a koe ehoa. Mauri Ora!

[@johntepu1869]

@@EpichAotearoa Ae e hoa, mauri mai

[@plasticgun9261]

I can see Putauaki in the background, you fullas must be out Thornton way.

[@tanioraaura1274]

You fallahs were pulling at my heartstrings. The big fallah didn't wanna be a stink fallah,joined the boys. nga mihi.

[@allizdog5927]

Is Willi pissed? Not judging, just wondering lol.