 Sports scientist Ken Spalding and his physiotherapist wife Charlotte Rata have two children - budding league player Humphrey and pro-Maori university student Ma. They also share their urban home with Pa Wiremu, Charlotte s staunch Ngati Porou father, while posh Muriel Spalding is Ken s mother. Muriel tells people her grandkids are Italian to  save face  with her upper crust friends. Pa is rather keen on Muriel. Ken thinks it s a mistake to have his father in law living with him. Pa intends to be a thorn in his side. The plot thickens.