Kevin Tamati is a name known to many rugby league fans in Aotearoa New Zealand; Kevin has played at representative level for New Zealand, New Zealand Māori, and professionally in the United Kingdom for almost two decades.

But it’s a starring role of a different kind that will see Kevin making headlines shortly as he appears in this season of The Restaurant that Makes Mistakes.

While Kevin’s sporting career provided him with numerous opportunities, it may have also contributed to a dementia diagnosis in 2021 after years of sustaining concussions on the field.

“I had to think about it for a while before I agreed to be in the show,” says Kevin. “Many of my peers don’t know about my dementia diagnosis; there’s still a lot of stigma surrounding it – I don’t want people to think I’m do-lally. But it’s reality; it can happen to anyone, and it doesn’t change who I am.”

Kevin spent several weeks in Auckland working in the restaurant, where they put him to work in the kitchen due to his butchering skills.

“I enjoyed the experience. It’s about service delivery which I enjoy – I should after so many years as a rugby league coach where you’re all about service.”

Kevin’s partner (and carer), Shona, said the restaurant also provided Kevin with a much-needed break from normal daily routines.

“It’s also given him a sense of purpose, being able to talk to people about dementia – demystifying it and talking about it frankly.”

Kevin and Shona live in Hastings – not far from where Kevin was born at Bridge Pā– and are full of praise for Dementia Hawke’s Bay, where Kevin attends day sessions twice a week.

“Tuesdays and Thursdays are tremendous. I attend workshop sessions where we make wooden toys for children in hospital. It’s a win-win – we stay mentally active while doing something positive for the kids.

“I can’t praise Dementia Hawke’s Bay enough for the support that they’ve given me and everyone else who attends the programmes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Shona agrees. “The team has always been just a phone call away for anything, even before Kevin was officially registered when we first learned about their services.

“There’s also great support for carers. We have regular get-togethers, sometimes with speakers on topics important to caregivers. They might look like social events, but it’s so much more. It’s a support network that offers emotional and peer support, practical advice and education – it’s become a real lifeline.”

Kevin and Shona’s dementia journey has been one of learning and adapting. “We take it day by day,” says Shona. “It’s not just about the diagnosis, it’s about living well.”

Being part of The Restaurant that Makes Mistakes gave Kevin the chance to show that a dementia diagnosis doesn’t define him. “I’m still Kevin,” he says. “We’re still people, and the more we talk about dementia, the less fear there will be.”

As they look ahead, they’re committed to raising awareness and supporting others. “We don’t know what the future holds, but we know we’re not alone,” says Shona.

New series of The Restaurant that Makes Mistakes begins on Monday, 14th October at 7:30pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ +