The Pike River families will move one step forward to rescuing their loved ones when they are given the keys to the gate of the mine, ending a year-long blockade at the site.
Seven years to the day since the first explosion rocked the mine, Andrew Little will hand the keys over to the family as a symbol of the new Government's effort to re-enter the mine and recover the 29 men who died in 2010.
The families will hold a private service at the mine's portal entrance before a public service is held in Blackball.
Little told the Herald he put a tentative date of early to mid next year on it and hopes to take his recommendations for membership and structure of the new Pike River Agency next week.
He said he had given the families no guarantees that what they want will be able to achieved, but promised to involve them.
