Pike River Mine families' spokesman Bernie Monk said he was gutted after the PM refused to help with a mine re-entry, after the mine's owners agreed to an attempt.

As he shivered in darkness beneath a bed of dried ferns, 11-year-old James Regnier waved helplessly at the passing rescue helicopter above the dense bush canopy.

This month's toll of job losses is striking - but it's a reflection of a slowing of the Chinese economy. It's time to look for jobs that have a future.

West Coast miners will march through Greymouth today in a fight to keep the Spring Creek mine open. Organisers hope 500 people will join the march, in what could be the biggest protest on the West Coast since the end of native logging.