Spare a thought for Pike River families at Xmas - Mayor

Prime Minister John Key shakes hand with Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn (right) during his visit to Greymouth. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Many New Zealanders will spend Christmas Day opening presents, having a few drinks and overindulging in Christmas dinner with family and friends.

However, for the families of the 29 men who died in the Pike River Coal mine tragedy, Christmas Day may serve as a cruel and unnecessary reminder of better times and who is missing from the dinner table.

Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn today told NZPA a lot of the families would be visiting the coal mine on Christmas Day to be near the remains of their loved ones.

"(Families) just want to be close and hold on to everything they have because the only thing in their mind is their loved one still in the mountain, down in the mine," he said.

"Even though it will be extremely sad for them, I think that's what they want to do because that's their way of being together."

"So just spare a thought for these people, I mean, they're going to have a tough day and our thoughts are with them."

Greymouth would celebrate Christmas despite the tragedy, he said.

"Christmas has gotta go on. It's a day for children and we have to make sure we are there for our families and our kids and at the same time remembering the 29 loved ones up there and their families."

However, the mood of the town would undoubtedly be subdued.

"There will be a lot of apprehension. There will be a lot of talk about where the economy's going and what's going to happen in the future...," he said.

The community, Red Cross and Victim Support workers would continue to provide support to families and friends of the men.

"They've got good support there from their own immediate families but they know if they ever wanted wider support they only have to ask and they'll get it."

Mr Kokshoorn said he was available to the families at any time of the day or night.

"It's not like we're in a city, I mean, we all know each other in Greymouth and it's not a case of you can't come and see me - I'm just one of the boys."

Meanwhile, the Greymouth community has been boosted by the announcement of immediate financial help for the families of the 29 men and news more underground mining jobs might become available in Reefton.

"There's only a small amount of jobs coming from Reefton but hey it's a step in the right direction. What we've got to do in the New Year is get organised, we've got to have a strategy now," Mr Kokshoorn said.

The Pike River Disaster Relief Trust set up by Grey District Council will make initial Christmas payments to the families.

Spouses or partners of the men will be paid $10,000 each, every child $2500 and parents $2500.

The fund sits at $6.5 million with donations continuing to pour in.

Individual family trusts will also be set up to provide ongoing financial support and families will be helped to form their own trust and appoint trustees.

- NZPA