Pike River families protest

A number of Pike River families and supporters began protesting at the site of the mine yesterday in response to the government’s decision to close the recovery project. The government announced in March there would be no more money to expand the project after the Recovery Agency reached the furthest point for the drift recovery efforts last month. But the group, representing 22 families of Pike River victims, are refusing to accept the decision. Yesterday more than two dozen showed up at the site to begin a protest they warn will continue for “as long as it takes.”