Tanker driver pleads not guilty to manslaughter following fatal crash that killed motorcyclist

Auckland tanker driver Daniel William Raukawa Tauvaka, 41, appeared in the High Court at Rotorua today facing five charges. Photo/File

A truck driver charged with causing the death of a motorcyclist as well as several charges relating to breaching driving conditions has pleaded not guilty.

Daniel William Raukawa Tauvaka, 41, a heavy truck/tanker driver from Auckland, appeared in the High Court at Rotorua today facing five charges.

The charges relate to a crash in January where motorcyclist Te Wanehi Wakefield, 56, from Taradale, was killed when his bike collided with Tauvaka's truck on State Highway 1 at Atiamuri.

Tauvaka is charged with manslaughter and an alternative charge of dangerous driving causing death. He also faces four Land Transport Act charges including making a false statement in a logbook, failing to have 10 hours rest, failing to deliver his logbook to his employer and making a false statement in a logbook.

Tauvaka was represented by Louis Te Kani.

Justice Sarah Katz remanded Tauvaka on bail to reappear for a callover on March 7. A two-week trial is set down for November 19 next year.

The crash happened about 7pm on January 25 on State Highway 1 at Atiamuri between Tahu and Kemp Rds, north-east of Taupo.