Chanel Harris-Tavita has stretched his stay with the New Zealand Warriors to an eighth season after signing a one-year contract extension to the end of the 2027 NRL season.

The 27-year-old initially returned for his second stint with the club on a two-year deal for 2024 and 2025 before extending his contract by another season to the end of 2026.

Coming through the club’s system as a junior, the playmaker has enjoyed the best phase of his career since resuming his time with the club.

“The way Chanel has developed his game is testament to the work he has put in,” said Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.

“He plays such a big role for us and will continue to do so for the rest of this season and next.”

After being used as an interchange utility in nine of his 17 appearances in 2024, Harris-Tavita has become the Warriors’ regular No 6, starting in that position in each of his 31 games since round one last year.

“There’s so much to like about the way Chanel goes about his game,” said head coach Andrew Webster.

“He’s so consistent, and this season he has been in career-best form. Quite apart from his playing role, he brings so much energy to the team through his defence and the way he competes. He has been awesome this year and we were very keen for him to stay here.”

After making his NRL debut in 2019, Harris-Tavita amassed 54 appearances before deciding to step away from the game in 2023.

His second term has been highlighted by his 100th NRL appearance in the Anzac Day victory over the Dolphins in Wellington (the 32nd player to join the Warriors’ 100-game club).