Thousands fill Pike River service

Workers erect extra seating for the Pike River Official Remembrance Service. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Several thousand people have filled Greymouth's Omoto Racecourse and numerous MPs and city mayors have taken their seats on the main stage for the remembrance service for 29 men killed in the Pike River mine.

The Pike River Official Remembrance Service is due to start at 2pm with two minutes' silence for the workers who died in a series of blasts in the coal mine.

The Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and his wife have just arrived at the racecourse where they were greeted by Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn and the mayoress.

Those on the main stage include Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, Labour Leader Phil Goff, Mining Gerry Brownlee, Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker.

New Zealand, Australian, British and South African flags representing the nationalities of those killed are flying at half mast beside the stage.

West Coast Labour list MP Damien O'Connor earlier arrived at the service with Dunedin South MP Clare Curran.

Mr O'Connor said the service was an "amazing exercise in West Coast unity".

He said the remembrance service would be an opportunity for the West Coast community to show their "solidarity and support" for the families.

29 tables

People have been filing past the 29 tables set up to represent each of the workers killed in a series of explosions at the Pike River coal mine.

Relatives have adorned the tables with surfboards, rugby jerseys, balloons, framed pictures, hats and helmets, rugby balls, alcohol bottles, trophies, teddy bears, miniature cars and written messages.

The family members, some of whom were weeping when they arrived, were given space to arrange the tables before the arrival of the general public.

The Reverend Tim Mora, who will conduct the service said that tables made the occasion more "personal and real".

"We can see their faces, we can see their hobbies, their loved ones, their interests, it's all there. They are not just names now - they're people," he said.

Zen Drew, 21, has his favourite duvet cover, sweet dreams tea and a pack of custard powder.

Michael Monk's table is decorated with a rugby ball, candles and favourite beers on tap. There is a well-worn gorilla suit beside Ben Rockhouse's table.

Joseph Dunbar, who turned 17 the day before the first explosion, has been left a message from his dad which simply reads "love you my son, dad".

A kapa haka group from Greymouth High School earlier performed as mourners arrived.

Today's service will include speeches by Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and Prime Minister John Key as well as hymns, songs and poems.

It will begin with the two minutes' silence, which Mr Key is asking all New Zealanders to observe.

The names of the dead miners will then be read aloud.

People originally from the West Coast have flocked in from all parts of the country in support of the province they once called home.

Hokitika's small airport was given an exemption to take larger aircraft to accommodate the hundreds flying in. A special passenger train service has also carried people from Christchurch to Greymouth for the service.

Reverend Mora said it was vital that the local community and the nation grieved together. "No matter how hard it is, we come together ... because it is something we must do."

- With NZPA and NZHERALD STAFF