Blessing at police station after Pike River tragedy

Superintendent Gary Knowles. Photo / Getty Images

A dawn blessing has been performed at the police station used as a base for the recovery operation at Pike River Coal mine.

Up to 80 police from around New Zealand have worked at Greymouth Police Station since the first explosion at the mine on November 19.

Tasman police district commander Superintendent Gary Knowles says those officers were under huge pressure as the disaster which claimed the lives of 29 miners unfolded.

"Many of our people have connections with the mining families. They are suffering along with everyone else in this community and they have coped admirably with the disruption to their daily lives.

"This is just a part of policing. When a big operation is launched, everyone has to chip in."

West Coast Police Chaplain Derek Cone led the 6am blessing through every office in the station.

It was needed to relieve that strain many officers have been under, he says.

"As humans we can handle a certain amount of strain. The service helps relieve that and keep us healthy."

- NZ Herald staff