Latest from Pike River mine blast

Coroner's finding - first blast fatal

All 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.

Diesel smell after blast, court told

The 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.

First blast lethal, Pike inquest told

The 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.

Inquest into Pike River disaster to begin tomorrow

New Pike River footage offers hope for families

Pike River victims' families shown further mine footage

Expert: Mine safety compromised

The Pike River mine tragedy would not have happened if NZ had maintained a mining inspector programme canned more than a decade ago, a mining expert says. He says families are right to be furious at the Govt for interfering in mine safety.

Police do 'wonderful job' - Key

John 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.

<i>Editorial:</i> Miners lie where they toiled and fell

Spat over 'wire' on mayor

A police staff member wound up in a spat with Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn after finding him "wired" with a television recording device.

Pike River families 'kept out of the loop'

A spokesman for the Pike River miners' families says the Prime Minister has been getting false information from the wrong people, and a decision to halt the recovery effort was rushed.

Sealing Pike River mine would conceal evidence - union

The EPMU says sealing the Pike River mine would prevent investigators from learning what really happened.

Pike families reveal mixed emotions

Some Pike River relatives were always resigned to the fact that the remains would never be returned.

Pike River families fight recovery decision

The 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.

Is it time for recovery efforts at Pike River to be abandoned?

PM: 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."