Latest from Pike River mine blast

Police give up trying to bring out Pike bodies
The Pike River Mine will be handed back to the company's receivers, Police Commissioner Howard Broad announced yesterday.

Pike River: Recovery op abandoned
Police Commissioner Howard Broad has announced police are all but giving up hope of recovering the remains of the 29 Pike River miners.

Pike River victims' families to be told news tonight
The 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.

Gas levels hamper Pike River efforts again
Rising gas levels have again stopped workers trying to recover the bodies of 29 men trapped inside the Pike River Coal mine today.

Mine families assured most hearings will be in Greymouth
The vast majority of the royal commission of inquiry hearings into the Pike River tragedy will be held in Greymouth, the commission says.

Expanding foam to seal mine cracks
Attempts 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.

'Vast majority' of Pike River inquiry to be on Coast
The "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.

Thief posing as Pike River miner 'pulled heartstrings'
Police are on the lookout for a man who posed as a Pike River miner to steal from a family who befriended him on Christmas Eve.

Pike River families thank public and recovery crews
Families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River Coal mine tragedy have publicly thanked everyone involved in the rescue and recovery operation.

Australia beckons Pike River miners
Up to 50 redundant Pike River Coal mine employees could soon be crossing the Tasman to take up lucrative positions in Australian pits.

Pike River temperatures continue to fluctuate
Temperatures inside the Pike River Coal mine continue to fluctuate, frustrating those charged with retrieving the bodies of 29 men killed in a series of explosions since November 19.

Pike River family: Generosity 'humbling'
The family of Ben Rockhouse, who died in the Pike mine, have praised the 'selflessness and generosity' of the people of NZ.

12 days of Christmas: Families of the Pike River 29
For the grieving families of 29 men lost in the Pike River mine, the financial burden is being eased by the generous Kiwi spirit.

PWC: Four months to re-enter mine
Pike River Coal's receivers say it could take up to four months to re-enter the mine in which 29 workers died in an explosion last month. Receivers PricewaterhouseCooper (PWC) today presented a draft plan for re-entry.

'Christmas cheer' payments for Pike families
Families of the men killed in the Pike River mine will be getting immediate financial relief to get them through Christmas.

Gas rises cause Pike River evacuation
Pike River Mine was evacuated this morning when gas levels rose sharply...