Hemi Maaka is my grandfather. My father is Wati Heemi Maaka aka Wati James.
My journey started when I realised that my father was a Maaka not James. I said to my mother why didn't dad put me under Maaka instead of James. She said why. I said James not our name. She said that is his name. Yes his second name not his last name.

It is nice to have this information for my children. I have always felt lost to my whanau on this side of my whanau. Now I see it all here so excited.