The man charged with murdering two staff at Work and Income in Ashburton will go to trial in February.
Russell John Tully is charged with murdering Peggy Noble and Leigh Cleveland and with the attempted murder of their colleagues, Lindy Curtis and Kim Adams, in September last year.
The trial was due to begin today in the High Court in Christchurch but was delayed following a hearing on Friday.
In a decision released today, Justice Mander suppressed details of the hearing but said the reason for the adjournment was to accommodate Mr Tully's legal representation at trial
The accused also faces two firearms charges and one of setting a trap police say was intended to injure people.
