Life is never dull on the road with Grant the Cook, writes Jason Burgess.

An Oamaru man serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of a pensioner has had his parole postponed for two years.

Archaeologists yesterday battled against the tide to rescue 14th century moa bones from a "significant" historical settlement at Awamoa Creek, south of Oamaru.

It is likely a case review for those jointly accused of murdering dairy worker Justin Conrad McFarlane will be delayed by the Crown, as police continue to investigate the 35-year-old's death.

The four men charged with murdering North Otago farm worker Justin McFarlane will appear in the High Court at Timaru this morning.

The family of slain farm worker Justin McFarlane are "struggling" to come to terms with his brutal death as they prepare for the funeral of a beloved son, brother and father.

Two more arrests have been made in relation to the murder of Otago dairy worker Justin McFarlane.

A second man has been charged with the murder of Otago farm worker Justin McFarlane, who died in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

An 18-year-old has appeared in court charged with murder over the "violent" death of Otago dairy farm worker Justin McFarlane.

A dairy worker whose body was found near Oamaru yesterday suffered a "violent'' death, with his burnt out car found 25km away.

A hunter who fell down a ridge and broke his leg has been found after a freezing night on a South Island mountain.

The sight of a young couple trapped in a burning car with a power line draped over it, calling their children to say goodbye, spurred two firefighters into action.

Oamaru boy Aljay Rankin, 10, is being praised for his clear thinking and quick action in saving his sister and home from a potentially disastrous fire.

An Oamaru man who admitted indecently assaulting three women in a Dunedin swimming pool was remanded in custody for sentence next month.

Rainbow Confectionery has doubled its capacity with the acquisition of an Australian confectionery plant.

Workers who will lose their jobs when the Summit Wool Spinners' Oamaru plant closes could struggle to find work and may have to move, the Otago Chamber of Commerce says.

Summit Wool Spinners' Oamaru plant - the second biggest employer in the town - is to close with the loss of 192 jobs

Oamaru locals have rallied around a Tongan family facing deportation before their young daughter is able to have much-needed surgery here.

Catherine Smith falls for Oamaru's Victorian township and modern food.

About 30 motorists in Dunedin and Oamaru had engine problems after filling their vehicles with contaminated petrol.