Taranaki's dire 2022 continued with a fifth loss from six matches, this time falling 38-27 to Tasman in Nelson.
An undefeated season in 2021 is now a distant memory for the amber and blacks, who are 11 points away from a quarter-final place, with just six points on the board from their first six matches.
The bonus-point victory is a huge boost to Tasman's campaign, taking the Mako level with North Harbour on points in the Evens Conference, with only points differential determining the potential fourth-placed finisher.
Meanwhile, Canterbury further increased their advantage at the top of the NPC's Evens Conference, surging to a convincing 46-17 victory over Northland in Christchurch.
Try doubles to returning hooker and Brodie McAlister and winger Ngani Punivai saw the red and blacks outclass the Taniwha, and move 10 points clear of Auckland in second place, in pole position to top their conference.
Ahead by just four points at halftime, Canterbury came out possessed in the second spell to deny Northland their first victory in Christchurch since 1987.
Despite defeat, Northland still sit third in the Evens Conference, three points adrift of Auckland with a game in hand.
In the day's early game, Wellington held on to close out a high-scoring thriller against Otago, winning 32-26 at Sky Stadium.
Up 19-0, a fightback from Otago threatened to undo Wellington's early work, despite the visitors losing Thomas Umaga-Jensen to injury.
Victory sees Wellington leapfrog Bay of Plenty into third place in the Odds Conference, with 24 points from seven matches.
Wellington are level with second-placed Hawke's Bay on 24 points, despite boasting five wins to the Magpies' four, with points differential keeping them in third.
However, Wellington have the chance to overtake Hawke's Bay and claim the Ranfurly Shield, when the two sides meet in Napier next Saturday.
Canterbury 46 (Harmon, McAlister 2, Punivai 2, penalty tries; Burke 4 conversions; Burke 2 penalties) Northland 17 (Craig, Murray tries; Reihana 2 conversions; Reihana penalty)
Tasman 38 (Hotham 2, Stewart, Aumua, Alosio tries; Havili 4, Parata conversions; Parata penalty) Taranaki 27 (Florence, Naholo, Crowley tries; McKenzie 3 conversions; Waite 2 penalties)
Wellington 32 (Kirifi, Love, Perenara, Numia tries; Morgan 3 conversions; Morgan 3 penalties) Otago 26 (Timu, Bell 2, Lentjes tries; Millar 3 conversions)