Pike River Mine families feeling abandoned by Prime Minster

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Pike families feeling abandoned by PM

3News NZ

Bernie Monk, father of killed Pike River miner Michael Monk

Bernie Monk, father of killed Pike River miner Michael Monk

On the 19th of next month, it will be two years to the day since the Pike River mine exploded, killing 29 men.

At first, the country stood with the Pike families and the communities the men were from. But gradually, a tougher reality took hold, and the bodies are all still in the mine because it's simply too risky to get them out.

"We were promised so much more," the families say. But were they?

Campbell Live reporter Whena Owen visited the Pike families and looked at never-before-seen footage of what the Prime Minister said to them.

Watch the video for the full report.

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Comments

24/10/2012 1:02:13 a.m.

wendy wrote:

I am disgusted, honestly I am at the way John Key has been so doubleminded in every promise that he has made. He left NZ for a sports game when he should have been supportive as a Statesman to the families of the soldiers recently killed in Afghanistan and he treats the parents and loved ones of the miners with no respect or honesty. John Key seriously has no right to have the mantle of Prime Minister, he is shallow and only interested in how his shares will hold up on Stock Market, has he got some interest in Solid Energy? Always trying to protect the investors and not the people that do the hard graft and earn their living fair and squarely. Heartfelt sorrow to the families of Pike River Coal, i support you in wanting your men out and laid to rest.

18/10/2012 5:04:10 p.m.

Peter wrote:

Key is a grin and grip photo op PM, says one thing does the other. Some mines rescue men should just go up there and do the drift walk. There is absolutely no reason why this cannot be done except a Govt being fearful of what they might find. Don't forget - the DOL did not give a tinkers about how Whittall put Pike together, its inspectors said nothing and now the same party is all health and safety ... it makes one sick. The DOL should be prosecuted, because it had a clear duty of care and didn't exercise it at Pike when it turned a blind eye to many things. That was criminal. Roll on the class action. Don't give up Pike families.

17/10/2012 7:57:45 p.m.

Kelly stewart wrote:

"At first, the country stood with the Pike families and the communities the men were from"?? So now we arnt still standing still with them?

16/10/2012 7:29:04 p.m.

Margaret Ney (Rockhouse) wrote:

I am just an Aunt of one of the Miners who no longer lives in NZ but I was there for most of the Royal Commission proceedings which god only can shudder at the cost of it all. We all want what rightly belongs to us, all 29 families because in great part, a great injustice has been dealt to the families which is, blunty put the explosion should never have happened. Because of the laws of the land being sub standard, the greed of a few who saw loopholes in the laws and forged ahead way too fast without govt oversight, it begins and ends with the Government department called the Department of Labour. Oh the standards will be improved one of these days, new ones will be written. maybe too some will pay for their crimes...maybe!Move on you say? Never does one feel right when so many things were so wrong, so much was hoped for and people were led to believe in their country, their Government would do everything in their power to bring out their people. So much pain has been caused not to mention the blow to the West Coast town of Greymouth.

16/10/2012 4:45:26 a.m.

alison wrote:

I feel for the Pike River familiys being caught up and used in Keys political bull crap. Yes they should be bought home. Its not my family still down there but its a fellow nzer. We would all like to see them returned to their loved ones. Its high time some one stepped in with some ideas and strength to help these people. Bring them home.

15/10/2012 10:21:14 p.m.

John wrote:

The families of Pike River Mine have been abandoned by John Key, and it is only now through guilt that he has been embarrassed into making comment about reconsidering supporting a recovery programme. He will vehemently deny this of course. John Key lied to the Pike River people, something that he should be ashamed of, something that shows that he has now qualified as a true politician. New Zealand has the power to make change, and we can show our distaste for the Governments treatment of the Pike River families by simply voting John Key and his Government out of office. John Key may pretend to empathize, but he is clearly not bothered either way as to whether there is a recovery of our people from the mine. The majority of New Zealand want the men of Pike River Mine returned to their families no matter what the financial cost, even if the whole mountain has to be dug up. For those few that say "Move on", we say shame on you also. I'm sure your feelings would be different if they were your family members. The New Zealand Government, without hesitation commits our military resources to other countries at great expense to New Zealand tax payers, tax payers money that should be directed to the Pike River Mine recovery programme. How many more years do the Pike River families have to hurt. It has been two years to many already.

15/10/2012 10:02:53 p.m.

Mequa Hourston wrote:

It is so gutting that people who we trust continue to let us down. I know who I am voting for in the next election! I lost my brother in law in the mine disaster and not a day goes by that I don't think of him and the other 28 men still down there. Almost 2 years have gone - it's just not good enough! It makes me sick to the stomach that they are down in that black hole and they are not layed to rest at their chosen resting places. I have lost all faith in the Government - come on NZ get behind the families WE NEED YOU!

15/10/2012 9:07:11 p.m.

Geoff wrote:

Bernie is right, the NZ public has moved on. Yet Bernie, I have not. The essence of being a kiwi to me is that we support our mates, we don’t leave anyone behind, we do everything in our power to bring our boys home. Everything. And to all those who say, move on, it’s too dangerous. Where are your facts from? Are they your children? To all those people, I say poppycock. If mine rescue professionals say it can be done, If Solid Energy is prepared to back it. Then what is the problem? What is this government scared of? Bring our boys home.

15/10/2012 9:01:07 p.m.

amnesia wrote:

John Key promised NZ so much more, but I bet he can't remember.