Kemera Te Houparoa Hamilton Wilson, from the side of his father, is of Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Tuwharetoa and Scottish decent. From the side of his mother he is of Ngati Mahanga decent. He was the eldest child of eight.

In 1984 Kemera was accepted into the Whakarewarewa Institute of Arts and Crafts, where he trained full time for three years, before graduating in 1986.

During the following eight years, Kemera worked with the Whakarewarewa Institute as a graduate carver, exhibiting and promoting the art of Whakairo.

During this time, Kemera traveled extensively throughout Aotearoa (New Zealand) and overseas, this included such events as the Fifth Festival of the Arts, Pacifika and WOMAD.

In 1994 Kemera relocated to Tamaki Makau Rau (Auckland) where he continued to pursue his passion for Whakairo.

His never wavering aroha and drive for teaching and sharing his knowledge of Whakairo and the relating Tikanga led him to such places as Penrose High School (where he attended during his Secondary School years), Dilworth School, Mt Albert Grammar School, as well as T.O.P courses. His arms extended out to Paremoremo and Mt Eden Prisons where he also ran carving courses.

Kemera carved in the traditional mediums of wood, bone, pounamu and stone but did not stop there and has been known to carve butter, chocolate, polystyrene, plastic and anything else he could get his hands on.

Kemera has touched and enriched many throughout his life.