Back In The Public Eye

Holiday snap: Kabul, 2010

Willie Apiata has stepped back from helping at-risk youth, and will soon be in the public spotlight again.
You'll recall New Zealand's only living Victoria Cross recipient left the Green Machine in July 2012, for a role at Papakura's 'High Wire' Charitable Trust (the trust has links with the armed forces, running an academy to help youth towards military careers).
Now Willie is being managed by experienced rugby player agent Warren Alcock of 'Essentially Group'. The international sport and entertainment marketing company's clients include All Blacks Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, and cricketer Dan Vettori.

Willie, honoured

An "Essential Speakers" section on it's website is launching this month... no info about Apiata yet.
Willie, as an SAS corporal, received the VC in 2007 for bravery under fire in Afghanistan. When he left the army, there were questions over why the military had not retained him as their recruitment "poster boy", given his high visibility.
He's made several public appearances recently, one being at Anzac Day commemorations at Auckland's War Memorial Museum. The same day, he addressed the Melbourne Storm before their clash with the Warriors (the NRL club is owned by a syndicate headed by a director of 'Essentially Group').
Let's hope Willie's looked after better than how the army did...