Work to stabilise the Pike River coal mine has been delayed a second time by dangerous gas readings.

The Government will pay for a recovery operation at the Pike River mine if there is a credible proposal that it was safe and it would work, according to Prime Minister John Key.

Police say while they are "highly suspicious" a figure seen in footage taken from within the Pike River mine is a body, it is impossible to confirm without months of work.

Tony Kokshoorn says authorities involved in the Pike River mine disaster have failed to communicate "from day one".

Police last night told families of the Pike River mine victims that there was a possibility rescuers had identified a body in the mine. There was also evidence that rescue boxes in the mine had been opened.

The police-led rescue and recovery operation launched in the wake of the Pike River tragedy has cost nearly $11 million, according to figures in a detailed breakdown released this afternoon.

The centre will be named the West Coast Memorial Events Centre in memory of the Pike River and other mine disaster victims.

Families of the Pike River miners have rejected a claim that police leaked previously unseen CCTV footage of the disaster to TVNZ.

The Prime Minister says it's "disappointing" the Pike River Coal receivers have asked the Government for aid and that it is unlikely to pay their legal bill during the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Cash-strapped company Pike River Coal Ltd says it can only afford a limited role in the Royal Commission of Inquiry.