As it happened: 'We are returning' - Triumph and tears from Pike River families as Govt reveals plan to re-enter mine

November 14, 2018
It marks a milestone in the recovery effort with experts closer to deciding how they'll go into the mine.

Recap our live updates as Pike River Recovery Minister Andrew Little announced  an attempt will be made to re-enter the mine where 29 men died in November 2010.

8.20am: This concludes our live updates on today's announcement. We'll have additional coverage on air at Midday and on 1 NEWS at 6, and throughout the day on 1 NEWS NOW.

8.15am: Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn was interviewed by TVNZ reporter Lisa Davies today on Breakfast to talk about the announcement. "After eight years, it's really quite emotional. That's the least we could do for the families...We went through five days of hell when the explosion first happened." Mr Kokshoorn once called the disaster the West Coast's darkest hour. This decision helps remedy that a little bit, he said. "At least it gives us now some closure."

Tony Kokshoorn spoke to Breakfast this morning about the mood in the West Coast following news of plans for re-entry.

8.06am:  In case you missed it live, we've just published the video of John Campbell's emotional interview with widow Anna Osborne on Breakfast this morning.

Milton Osborne was one of 29 men who never made it home from Pike River Mine in November 2010.

8.00am: In case you missed the live feed, here's the moment Andrew Little made the announcement. 

Mr Little outlined the Government’s plan in Wellington today, eight years after 29 men died in the mine.

And here's widow Anna Osbourne's statement during the announcement.

Mrs Osborne said it was a “truly amazing day” for many of the families.

7.56am:  In addition to the live announcement, the Pike River Mine Re-entry Plan and all briefing papers provided to Minister Andrew Little have also been released today. You can find them here .

7.49am: Osborne says today is "obviously amazing". "We've won the battle...We shouldn't have had to fight as hard as we did, but we finally got here...You do not leave your loved ones behind...My head knows my husband is dead, but my heart still longs for him."

7.47am: John Campbell is now live on Breakfast with Anna Osborne, who is holding a photo of her husband. 

7.45am: Among the reporters at the announcement was TVNZ's John Campbell.

7.42am: While taking questions from reporters, Mr Little said there were a range of factors that saw the cost increase for re-entry from $22 million to $36 million. He described the initial cost estimate, before experts were consulted, as putting a finger to the wind. The first person to enter the mine will be a trained professional, he added.

7.40am: The press conference has now ended. But we'll continue to have updates through the morning. 

7.39am: The press release continues...

Anna Osborne, who lost her husband Milton in the mine explosion in 2010, says it has been a long journey. “We’ve waited eight long years for this, we stood up for our men and we have achieved something they would be so proud of.

“This is a huge step towards truth and justice for us, but it couldn’t have come without the enormous support of New Zealanders. We’re incredibly thankful for that. It’s restored my hope.”

Bernie Monk, whose son Michael died in the mine, agrees. “This is a moment for all Kiwis to be proud of. This Government set a timeline and stuck with it, and now we’re doing it.

“But this isn’t just a moment for families to celebrate, it’s a moment that should give hope to other people who are seeking justice.

7.37am: Stand with Pike has sent out a press release with statements from several victim's families. The group calls today's decision "a historic moment for truth and justice". 

From the press release: Sonya Rockhouse lost her son Ben in the disaster and her son Daniel was one of only two survivors. She says that safety is the most important factor in the decision. “Right from the start we have said we want this to be done safely, now experts from around the world have made it clear that it can be done and it will be done.

“It’s amazing to think that only two years ago Anna and I were setting up camp on the Pike River road to stop the last government from sealing the mine forever. Now we’re going into the drift and doing right by our boys, it’s been a hell of a journey.”

7.32am:  Mr Little has just taken a swipe at National's handling of the situation. "From day one, the families were shut out and not kept up to speed...It's not an approach that should be taken...The basic courtesy is you tell people what's happening...It's not a way to treat people. It's no respectful."

7.29am: "I am totally confident that the level of safety we've achieved in this project will be beyond compare," Mr Little said. 

7.28am: Andrew Little is now taking questions from the media. "This hasn't been a difficult decision to make" because safety was such a large part of the planning process, he says. 

7.26am: Here's Anna Osbourne's interview with Breakfast from a few weeks ago. 

"It's quite a huge moment," Pike Family Reference Group Anna Osborne told Breakfast today.

7.24am:  Pike Family Reference Group's Anna Osborne has just made an emotional statement. "This is a fantastic day for the Pike River families. We fought really hard to get where we are today...We believe we've got the right men for the job...We've fought very hard for our men for a very long time...We can do this. We've got to do this."

7.23am: Bore holes for ventillation will be drilled over coming weeks. The first major tunnelling effort will begin around February next year, Mr Little said.  

7.20am: Cabinet has in recent days set aside an extra $14 million for the project, bringing the total cost to $36 million. 

7.19am: The agency has recommended a single-entry approach. "On the basis on all the material presented to me, I'm satisfied there is a safe plan for entry and recovery," Mr Little said. 

7.15am: Watch the announcement live here .

7am:  Pike River Re-Entry Minister Andrew Little has confirmed through a press release plans to re-enter the West Coast mine will proceed. He is expected to announce the decision in person at 7.15. 

Background:

The Pike River Recovery Agency handed over its final re-entry plan to the Government late last month.

The agency's been working alongside experts to establish the safest way into the tunnel of the West Coast mine.

The aim is to find remains of the 29 men who lost their lives eight years ago in the explosion, and to search for clues as to why it exploded.

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