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.

Preparatory work for the first stage of the re-entry is planned to begin this weekend, subject to weather, Solid Energy confirmed this morning.

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.

Major health and safety reforms stemming from the Pike River disaster have been unveiled by Labour Minister Simon Bridges this morning.

Matt McCarten says: So, 29 innocents are dead and entombed at Pike River by the greed and negligence of others, and yet no charges are to be laid.

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.