Pike River families receive compensation money

64.4% of 750 Kiwis polled believe the company's shareholders should make good on the compensation. Photo / Martin Hunter

The $3.41 million payout from Peter Whittall and Pike River Coal directors, via their insurers, has started to land in the bank accounts of the families.

When all charges were dropped against Mr Whittall two weeks ago, he asked for the $3.41m of insurance money - which had been set aside for his defence - to be split among the families of the 29 men who died in the mine disaster, and the two survivors.

Families' spokesman Bernie Monk said today the money had started to arrive.