Musician, Tiki Taane, pictured in the Tauranga District Court this morning. Photo / Alan Gibson
Musician Tiki Taane has reaffirmed his plans to fight charges laid against him over a nightclub incident in Tauranga in April.
The award-winning singer made a brief appearance in Tauranga District Court this morning facing a charge of disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence.
Taane was arrested after allegedly singing
a protest rap song containing derogatory words about the police at Harington St nightclub Illuminati as officers carried out a routine inspection.
During the gig it is alleged Taane performed an anti-police song by American rap group NWA while police officers conducted a walk-through of the nightclub.
The police left but returned about an hour later and arrested Taane and bar promoter 24-year- old Patricio Alvarez-Riveros, who appeared in the docks immediately after Taane today.
His lawyer, Bill Nabney, told the court the officers involved in the arrest would not be able to participate until after October 23 as they would be policing the Rugby World Cup.
Outside court, Taane reaffirmed he would fight the charges but would not divulge his defence case.
"I'm definitely looking forward to getting this matter before the court, before the judge, and then we can move on from there."
His case, along with Alvarez-Riveros', has been adjourned until another status hearing on August 26.
