New ZealandCoroner's finding - first blast fatalAll 29 men lost in the Pike River disaster died within minutes of the first blast in the West Coast coal mine, a coronial inquest into the disaster has concluded.27 Jan 03:00 AM
New ZealandDiesel smell after blast, court toldThe man charged with overseeing the Pike River mine smelled diesel or exhaust in the air about the time it was hit with an explosion that killed 29 men.26 Jan 11:53 PM
New ZealandFirst blast lethal, Pike inquest toldThe 29 workers who died in the Pike River disaster would have died within minutes of the original explosion at the West Coast coal mine, a coronial hearing in Greymouth has heard.26 Jan 10:40 PM
New ZealandPolice do 'wonderful job' - KeyJohn Key has defended police in the wake of a damning report and a much criticised decision to end recovery efforts at Pike River Coal mine.19 Jan 10:55 PM
New ZealandHeavy rain triggers flooding on West CoastThe West Coast's Fox River burst its banks today, forcing some residents and bach owners to evacuate, some of them carrying off possessions they wanted to save.18 Jan 05:23 AM
EmploymentGovt denies Pike River cover-upThe father of a miner who died at Pike River has accused police and the Government of withholding information that shows bodies may be recovered intact from the explosion-hit coal mine.18 Jan 01:16 AM
CommoditiesMiners' recovery not in new planA proposed Pike River mine stabilisation plan doesn't allow for the recovery of the miners and won't guarantee the future of the mine. The Receivers of Pike River Coal Limited presented their mine stabilisation plan to the Commissioner of P17 Jan 07:42 AM
CommoditiesMiners' recovery not in new planA proposed Pike River mine stabilisation plan doesn't allow for the recovery of the miners and won’t guarantee the future of the mine.17 Jan 06:39 AM
CommoditiesPM 'passing the buck' on Pike RiverLabour leader Phil Goff has accused John Key of "passing the buck" on whether to permanently seal the Pike River coal mine. Receivers have been given until 5pm today to come up with a plan for stabilising the mine.17 Jan 03:00 AM
CommoditiesClosing mine could see inquiry evidence lost , lawyer saysSealing the Pike River mine could see vital evidence lost, the lawyer for the families of those killed says.16 Jan 06:20 PM
New ZealandSpat over 'wire' on mayorA police staff member wound up in a spat with Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn after finding him "wired" with a television recording device.15 Jan 04:30 PM
New ZealandPike families reveal mixed emotionsSome Pike River relatives were always resigned to the fact that the remains would never be returned.14 Jan 04:30 PM
New ZealandPike River families fight recovery decisionThe families of the 29 lost Pike River miners say they are "gravely concerned" that the Government and police are abandoning recovery efforts at the mine and are calling for the decision to be reassessed.14 Jan 04:09 AM
BDBDCommoditiesPM: Mine sealing 'not about money'The Pike River mine will be sealed and there is little or no chance of the bodies of 29 men killed being recovered in the near future, says Prime Minister John Key. He said it was "not an issue of money or time or commitment."14 Jan 12:41 AM
BDBDCommoditiesClosing mine 'worst case scenario'Closing the Pike River coal mine and handing the land back to the government is the worst-case scenario, according to the company's receiver. 13 Jan 10:17 PM
CommoditiesPolice give up trying to bring out Pike bodiesThe Pike River Mine will be handed back to the company's receivers, Police Commissioner Howard Broad announced yesterday.13 Jan 04:30 PM
New ZealandPike River: Recovery op abandonedPolice Commissioner Howard Broad has announced police are all but giving up hope of recovering the remains of the 29 Pike River miners.13 Jan 05:46 AM
New ZealandPike River victims' families to be told news tonightThe heads of police and the Department of Conservation will deliver news in person today to the families of the 29 dead workers in the Pike River mine.13 Jan 12:34 AM
New ZealandGas levels hamper Pike River efforts againRising gas levels have again stopped workers trying to recover the bodies of 29 men trapped inside the Pike River Coal mine today.11 Jan 04:07 AM
New ZealandMine families assured most hearings will be in GreymouthThe vast majority of the royal commission of inquiry hearings into the Pike River tragedy will be held in Greymouth, the commission says.07 Jan 04:30 PM
New ZealandExpanding foam to seal mine cracksAttempts will be made this weekend to seal cracks around the ventilation shaft at the Pike River Coal mine and stop gases leaking out - a critical step in the process towards stabilising the mine.07 Jan 05:11 AM
New Zealand'Vast majority' of Pike River inquiry to be on CoastThe "vast majority" of the Pike River Royal Commission of Inquiry hearings into the tragedy which claimed the lives of 29 men will be held in Greymouth, the commission says.07 Jan 04:03 AM
New ZealandConman posing as Pike River miner in custodyA man who allegedly posed as a Pike River miner to steal from a family who befriended him was remanded in custody when he appeared in court today.07 Jan 12:43 AM
