Watch: 'Everything within our power to try' – Jacinda Ardern can't guarantee bodies will be retrieved from Pike River mine

November 20, 2017

The formation of a new agency will investigate whether it's safe to re-enter the mine.

The Government has announced the establishment of a new stand-alone agency which will handle the Pike River Mine re-entry effort, but won't say whether or not any bodies can be retrieved.

The Pike River Recovery Agency has been set a goal of March 2019 to re-enter the mine and will be working with the families of the 29 miners who died in the Pike River disaster in 2010.

It has also committed up to $23 million towards achieving the goal, a key part of the Labour-NZ First coalition agreement.

Ms Ardern has stated that safety is a priority in the re-entry and isn't able to promise the families that the bodies will be able to be recovered.

When asked by 1 NEWS' Corin Dann whether or not the families could be given a guarantee that their loved ones would be returned home she said the Government will do "everything within their power to try" and retrieve the bodies.

Labour has made Pike River one of their first 100 day issues.

The Pike River Recovery Agency will be tasked with re-entering the mine by March 2019.

Ms Ardern says the formation of the agency shows they're following through with their promise.

"The new agency will be a government department, headed by a chief executive, who will report to me," Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little says.

"The purpose of the agency is to gather evidence to better understand what happened in 2010, with an eye to preventing future mining tragedies and to give the Pike River families and victims' overdue closure and peace of mind," Mr Little says.

While the agency will look over the logistics of re-entering the mine, Mr Little says the final decision will be made by him.

National says the Government has wound back its promises significantly, from both prior to the election and in recent weeks.

In a statement, it says this approach close reflects the view of the previous Government - that safety is paramount.

"The Government is now recognising that it cannot waive health and safety laws, rush or force a re-entry," it read. 

"The National Party continues to support re-entry, if it can be safely achieved and I would encourage the Government to listen to the experts." 

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