Phil Goff remembers the men and families of Pike River

Twelve months ago, 29 men went to work in the Pike River Mine and never came home. Today we remember them and the families and friends they left behind, said Labour Leader Phil Goff.

“On the anniversary of their deaths, we join together with the families and the wider West Coast community to commemorate their loss. It has been a particularly difficult time for all those affected as they wait to see whether their loved ones can be recovered. It is important that we do everything humanly possible to give them closure.

“I have had the privilege of spending time with some of the families over the past year and I know today will be extremely difficult for them.

“On behalf of Damien O’Connor and all of my Labour colleagues, I would like to pay our respects to all those affected in this time of grief.

“I know the process of the Royal Commission investigating the disaster is a terribly difficult one for all involved. But I hope that it will allow us to learn from what has happened and avoid a tragedy of this nature occurring again.

“On this day, our thoughts and our hearts are with those affected by the terrible loss of the men and the impact it has had on the lives of all those who knew them,” said Phil Goff.