Pike plan explained to families

"We all seem to be on the same page, it's fantastic." Pike family representative Sonya Rockhouse

The families of some of the men killed in the Pike River mine disaster say they ‘‘100 per cent’’ believe the Government will stick to its commitment of re-entering the mine’s drift.

Andrew Little, Minister Responsible for Pike River Reentry, met in Wellington on Monday with some of the relatives of the 29 men killed in the 2010 West Coast mining disaster.

The discussions centred on setting up an entity that would take over the re-entry into the drift, Stand with Pike family representative Sonya Rockhouse said.

‘‘His expectations are pretty much the same as ours, to just get in there, get it done and give the families some sort of closure and possibly some truth and justice as well,’’ she said.

‘‘We all seem to be on the same page, it’s fantastic.’’

Rockhouse, whose son Ben died in the mine, said Little was asked if he stuck by his promise of reentry early next year.

‘‘That’s a very difficult thing to say because so much has got to be organised before that happens, he wouldn’t commit to that, he’d be silly to,’’ she said.

‘‘I don’t think there will be a reentry in March but I don’t think it will be too much after that.’’

Little said last week that an independent third party could be made responsible for the operations but he was prepared to take responsibility himself.

He also told Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report that the Government might waive health and safety laws for a manned reentry to Pike River.

He said he spoke to the families on Monday about the need to establish an entity that would take control of the project.

‘‘It’s going to be the place where decisions get made; it’s going to be the outfit that is going to be responsible for consultation and engaging the families.’’

Little said he wanted a decision on the creation of the entity to be made in the ‘‘next couple of weeks’’ following discussions with Cabinet and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

‘‘We’ve got to get this new entity set up that’s going to control the project,’’ he said.

‘‘I’d like to have a plan, sort of more or less in place, in the early part of next year.

‘‘As to when we actually get into the mine, that’s a wee way away yet.’’

Little said he wanted to instil confidence in the families that the promise of a manned re-entry would be fulfilled.

‘‘I know the frustrations they’ve had before now.

‘‘I’ve been involved with those families for some years now, so they come with the view about the experiences they’ve had up to now, and it is really about giving them confidence they do have a place around the table, they are going to be listened to on this project,’’ he said.

Rockhouse said safety was paramount when it came to planning the re-entry process.

‘‘They’re going to have to make sure everything’s safe, we don’t want anyone to be hurt or worse,’’ she said.

‘‘They’ll be talking with our experts and going through all the stuff that will be needed. There’s a lot of equipment that will be needed.

‘‘Solid Energy have pretty well cleaned out up at the mine so there is very little equipment left.’’

Stand With Pike represents 27 of the 31 families who lost loved ones in the mine, including two survivors.

‘‘We’ve had no backlash from those who are not interested in reentry so far anyway. I don’t believe that we will,’’ Rockhouse said.

‘‘The majority of the families are really supportive and at long last we’re actually going to get some action.’’