Parliament pay moving tributes to Pike River miners

Flag fly at half mast on the Auckland Harbour Bridge as a mark of respect to the Pike River miners. Photo / NZPA

Parliamentarians have paid tribute to the dead miners in Parliament today, before standing for a minutes' silence and then adjourning early for the week as a mark of respect.

Prime Minister John Key is in Greymouth so deputy Prime Minister Bill English led the speeches, saying the greatest sympathies were held for the miners' families.

"It is important in particular that the children who have lost their fathers will remember them with pride and know their loss is felt by the nation."

He said the tragedy had reminded New Zealand again of Australia and New Zealand standing together in times of adversity, referring to the help Australian mining companies had provided and flags flying at half-mast in Australia.

He said it was natural people wanted answers as to how the incident had happened and hoped upcoming inquiries would provide that.

Labour deputy leader Annette King said although New Zealanders had watched on their television screens while disasters unfolded overseas and shook their heads at the tragedies ''nothing hurts like the death of our own."

She said herself was descended from coal miners in New Zealand since her great grandfather emigrated to New Zealand from Darragh for a better life.

"My generation got that better life. This story will be one for many New Zealanders."

She said the focus now should be on retrieving the bodies of the men at Pike River, and then there would be the time to find out what had gone so wrong.

Many of the speakers also made special mention of Pike Rover chief executive Peter Whittall.

West Coast-based Green Party MP Kevin Hague said he had the utmost respect for Mr Whittall's integrity and compassion. Act leader Rodney Hide said a thank you to Mr Whittall "for your leadership, your courage, honesty and humanity."

While the job that lay ahead of Mr Whittall was difficult, he said it was important Pike River remained on the West Coast and he believed Mr Whittall was the person to ensure that happened.

Progressives leader Jim Anderton said while mining was an integral part of the West Coast, it should not absolve others from responsibility for ensuring such a tragedy was not repeated.

"I refuse to accept that any of the deaths was a necessary cost of mining. It it the responsibility of all us of,from mine operators to the government and this Parliament to take steps to strenghten mine safety so that the safety of all our miners is our number one concern."

Maori Party whip Te Ururoa Flavell spoke in te reo, saying all of New Zealand now lamented, Maori and Pakeha, the young and grandparents. He then lead the MPs in singing Whakaaria Mai before the Parliamentarians stood for a minute silence.

A book of condolence is also in Parliament's reception area and the flags on the Beehive and on the forecourt are at half mast. The US Embassy is also flying its flags at half mast for today and tomorrow.