Fyfe to advise on Pike re-entry
Former Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe has been appointed as an independent adviser to the Government on plans for the re-entry of the Pike River Mine.
Andrew Little, Minister Responsible for the Pike River Reentry, said yesterday the new role would provide him with crucial independent advice so he could be sure of the quality and thoroughness of the information he received from the Pike River Recovery Agency.
‘‘Appointing an independent adviser will ensure I have access to a third-party perspective and independent assurance about the adequacy of the agency’s processes.’’
Fyfe is also chairman of merino clothing company Icebreaker.
Little praised Fyfe’s handling and empathy, in his Air New Zealand role, in the aftermath of the 2008 Airbus A320 crash in Perpignan, France.
Air New Zealand also sent 30 airline staff to help the Pike River families after the 2010 disaster.
News of Fyfe’s new role was welcomed by the Pike River families who were consulted on the appointment.
‘‘I’m very keen to have him on board. He brings incredible awareness of dealing with safetysensitive situations,’’ Little said.
‘‘His engineering background, plus our personal relationship, means I think he’s a trusted adviser to me.’’
Fyfe will have access to all the information the minister received and help him make calls on risk and safety. ‘‘I’ve been very clear that we’re committed to manned re-entry of the drift and I want to make sure everything we do is safe,’’ Little said.
Fyfe will take up the role on January 31, when the agency is formally established.
The Government has said reentry, and recovery of any remains of the 29 miners killed, would be completed by March 2019.