Latest fromWest Coast
Pike River: Cooling operation underway
An operation has begun to extinguish the fire coming from the vent shaft of the Pike River mine and cool the surrounding concrete pad, using water pumped up from a nearby creek.
Christmas parade brings joy to Greymouth
A Santa parade in Greymouth today brought some much needed cheer to the community.
GAG unit to work through the weekend
It could take weeks for a GAG unit to put out a coal fire in the Pike River mine, police say.
Community strength will triumph
The strength of the West Coast community will help it overcome its collective grief over the deaths of the 29 men who died in the Pike River mine tragedy, Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand said today at the memorial service in Greymouth.
Pike River funeral: What was said
A summary of the words spoken by West Coast locals and dignitaries at this afternoon's Pike River memorial service.
Miners' legacy will live on - Key
John Key today delivered a personal message to the mothers whose children have been left fatherless as a result of the Pike River mine tragedy. His was one of several moving tributes at today's Remembrance Service.
Pike River: The day our lives changed forever
"Our lives changed forever" when the Pike River Mine exploded, the mining company chief executive told mourners today.
Thousands fill Pike River service
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 Pike River Official Remembrance service
Indications Pike mine GAG unit is working - police
A GAG unit at the Pike River mine appears to be working with early indications a fire is dissipating.
Pike River: Body-recovery work to continue
Much of NZ will come to a standstill today as the victims of the Pike River tragedy are remembered.
<i>Garth George:</i> A tragedy that made us think of others
2010 can only described as an annus calamitosus [disastrous year] for the New Zealand family.
GAG unit 'ready to go' - Knowles
A jet engine brought in to make the Pike River mine safe is now in place. Rescue services are hopeful it will be in use tonight so the process to recover the remains of the 29 trapped miners can begin.
Mine rescue must not remain with 'Mr Plod' - editor
An Australian-based online mining journal today called for NZ police to be blocked from controlling mine rescues.
Two minutes' silence for miners
Prime Minister John Key has asked all New Zealanders to observe two minutes’ silence at 2pm tomorrow to remember the 29 men who lost their lives as the Pike River Official Remembrance Service begins in Greymouth.
<i>Jesse Dykstra</i>: Reflections on coal mining
In the wake of the Pike River tragedy, PhD student Jesse Dykstra blogs on the mining industry and the associated risks
Pike River: Families face funerals without bodies
Hopes of recovering bodies are fast fading for families of the 29 miners lost in the Pike River mine.
Pike River: GAG expert on way
An Australian expert was arriving in Greymouth tonight to provide advice on the jet engine GAG operation at the ill-fated Pike River Coal mine, where it's "highly likely" part of a coal seam has caught fire.