Jamie Pennell - Previously untold stories from a legend of the New Zealand SAS…

Jamie Pennell had an esteemed career as a soldier and leader inside the New Zealand SAS.

He was sent on multiple combat operations in Afghanistan to assist other nations and the Afghan special forces in the war on terror.

In 2011 he was awarded the Gallantry Star – New Zealand’s second-highest military honour – for his role responding to a Taliban siege of the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel.

During his time in the SAS, he also served alongside Willie Apiata and witnessed the events which saw him awarded his Victoria Cross.

After leaving the Defence Forces, Jamie worked with high performance athletes where he helped them achieve their sporting goals and now works as the Head of Mangatāwhiri Campus, Dilworth School, delivering their Learning in the Outdoors Programme, training young men in skills for life.

This is an incredible episode of previously untold war stories - as well as a look at the after-effects of the military on mental health, the struggle to return to normal life after service, and much more.

Best Laugh: Jamie retelling the story of when former journalist Paddy Gower lost his passport before travelling with the Prime Minister from the perspective of the SAS.

Best Insight: How Jamie can almost detach himself from the emotion of the high-pressure life and death combat zones he has been involved in and retell the incidents with such intricate detail from a first-person perspective.

Biggest Surprise: The NZ SAS is one of only five Tier 1 special forces units around the world.

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