WELLINGTON - A New Zealand man was Friday found not guilty of murdering five members of his family in a retrial described by his lawyer as the most extraordinary case in the country's history.

David Bain, 37, was in tears after being found not guilty of murdering his parents, two sisters and a brother in their home in the southern city of Dunedin in a case which has gripped New Zealand for the last decade and a
half.

Bain spent 12 years in prison after first being found guilty in 1995 of shooting his family with a rifle, but he was released in 2007 after the Privy Council in London said there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice.

The defence had argued the family was killed by David's father Robin Bain, who they say turned the rifle on himself after killing the rest of the family while David was out delivering newspapers.

During the trial witnesses said David's sister Laniet had told them she had been having an incestuous relationship with her father and was preparing to tell the rest of the family.

An emotional and exhausted Bain found it difficult to speak to the media and supporters after the verdict, but was quick to praise former All Black Joe Karam who led the fight to free him.

"All I can say is that without Joe and his solid strength, without the love of the people that have supported me since day one, I wouldn't have made it through this far," Bain told cheering supporters.

"Joe has been there through everything for me." -AFP