Is David Cunliffe exploiting the Pike River tragedy for political purposes? Of course he is, writes John Armstrong.

On the third anniversary of the Pike River mining disaster, Labour leader David Cunliffe has promised a government led by him would compensate the victims' families.

A recording of the last contact with workers in the Pike River mine has been aired publicly for the first time this morning.

The third anniversary of the Pike River mining tragedy will be marked today with a minute's silence and the laying of a wreath.

By November 18, 2010, there was just enough progress at Pike to reassure some workers that the operation could yet be a success, but not enough to ease the dark fears held by others.

The Pike River coal mine should have been shut down well before the devastating explosion, says the author of a new book on the tragedy.

New Zealand Oil and Gas shareholders voted yesterday not to pay reparation of $3.41 million to the Pike River families.

Bernie Monk and his son's best schoolmate have been reunited during an operation to recover the bodies of the 29 men who died in the Pike River mine disaster.

As Flight Lieutenant George McInnes flew over the Pike River mine his thoughts were with his best mate Michael Monk, one of 29 miners whose remains entombed inside.

Photos from the Pike River recovery work this weekend.

Work has begun on the plan to re-enter the Pike River mine, nearly three years after 29 men died during a series of explosions there.

Preparatory work for the first stage of the re-entry is planned to begin this weekend, subject to weather, Solid Energy confirmed this morning.

There is little chance of recovering the bodies of the Pike River miners, Simon Bridges has warned after today approving a plan to re-enter the mine.

Families of the 29 men whose bodies are entombed in the Pike River coalmine have welcomed news that a plan to re-enter the tunnel has been approved.

In April, the chairman of the Independent Taskforce On Workplace Health and Safety, Rob Jager, announced a vision for safer workplaces.

Pike River families are confident a recovery plan will go ahead, with reports a proposal to recover the bodies of 29 miners is on the brink of being approved.

Major health and safety reforms stemming from the Pike River disaster have been unveiled by Labour Minister Simon Bridges this morning.

Matt McCarten says: So, 29 innocents are dead and entombed at Pike River by the greed and negligence of others, and yet no charges are to be laid.

The two survivors and the families of the 29 Pike River dead could seek damages or compensation, but the claims would be beset with hurdles and the outcome uncertain, a leading law expert says.

The decision by the police not to lay criminal charges against Pike management again shreds the hearts of the victims' families, writes Gerard Morris.