As the third anniversary of the Pike River mine disaster nears, Steve Deane finds a story that brought a smile to Coasters' faces.

NZ Oil and Gas has a moral obligation to pay Pike River families it's claimed - after shareholders yesterday voted not to fork out $3.41m awarded by judge.

New Zealand Oil and Gas shareholders voted yesterday not to pay reparation of $3.41 million to the Pike River families.

Bernie Monk and his son's best schoolmate have been reunited during an operation to recover the bodies of the 29 men who died in the Pike River mine disaster.

As Flight Lieutenant George McInnes flew over the Pike River mine his thoughts were with his best mate Michael Monk, one of 29 miners whose remains entombed inside.

Photos from the Pike River recovery work this weekend.

Work has begun on the plan to re-enter the Pike River mine, nearly three years after 29 men died during a series of explosions there.

The 29 men who died in the Pike River mine two years and 10 months ago remain where they perished.

There is little chance of recovering the bodies of the Pike River miners, Simon Bridges has warned after today approving a plan to re-enter the mine.

Families of the 29 men whose bodies are entombed in the Pike River coalmine have welcomed news that a plan to re-enter the tunnel has been approved.

In April, the chairman of the Independent Taskforce On Workplace Health and Safety, Rob Jager, announced a vision for safer workplaces.

Pike River families are confident a recovery plan will go ahead, with reports a proposal to recover the bodies of 29 miners is on the brink of being approved.

The two survivors and the families of the 29 Pike River dead could seek damages or compensation, but the claims would be beset with hurdles and the outcome uncertain, a leading law expert says.

The decision by the police not to lay criminal charges against Pike management again shreds the hearts of the victims' families, writes Gerard Morris.

Pike River families are again pushing for a mine re-entry, hoping that a scene examination could lead to someone finally being held accountable.

Pike River families were told tonight the police would not prosecute anyone over the November 2010 disaster that claimed 29 men.

In her judgment against what was in many respects a phantom company on trial, Judge Jane Farish was clear about where the buck should stop, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Prime Minister John Key will not commit the Government to step in and pay court-ordered compensation to the families of those who died in the Pike River Mine disaster.

Editorial: One way or another the families of the men killed in the Pike River mine must be given the compensation that has been awarded to them by the Greymouth District Court.

One of the Pike River Mine directors has indicated there is a possibility he will contribute to the $3.41 million reparation cost the company was ordered to pay to families of the men who died in the mine three years ago.

One of the Pike River Mine directors says he may consider contributing to the $3.41million reparation ordered to families of the men who died in the mine three years ago.