Pike River miners remembered

Families of the Pike River dead visited the mine. Photo / Stewart Nimmo

Families of the 29 men who died at Pike River have paid an emotional Christmas Day visit to the mine.

Bernie Monk said it was a chance to feel closer to his son Michael, who died in the mine explosion.

About 50 family members were taken to a site about 100m from the portal tunnel, he said.

"It was very moving for us. We needed to be there today. There were lots of tears shed. We comforted each other. It was touching. It felt so peaceful. I could see why Michael would have no trouble going to work every day up there. The scenery is so beautiful and it was a beautiful day when the sun came out."

He said the families lit candles, laid flowers and other mementoes at the site before a police chaplain held a short service of remembrance.

"What kind of Christmas are we going to have without one of our own? We're just heartbroken," Monk said.

The parents of miner Stuart Mudge, Stephen and Carol Rose, said it was too soon for them to visit the mine site. "We'll go up to pay our tribute in private when there's been more resolution," Rose said.

The 29 men died after explosions at the West Coast coal mine in November. Their bodies have not been recovered.

The GAG jet engine machine, brought in from Australia to pump water vapour into the mine, began operating again late Friday afternoon after it was shut down temporarily due to an electrical fault.