A man's appeared in Christchurch District Court -- charged over the death of a rural postie killed delivering his final parcel before retirement

Open Justice reports David Bullock had worked at NZ Post for 30 years - but on his last day in July, was hit and killed by a car near Leeston, southwest of Christchurch.

The 78-year-old's son-in-law also suffered serious injuries.

It's understood the pair were walking to get help, after Bullock's van stuck in roadside mud.

The man was charged with dangerous driving causing death.