Goff Phil: Motions — Pike River Mine West Coast—Explosion 
Goff Phil: Motions — Pike River Mine West Coast—Explosion 
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Hon PHIL GOFF (Leader of the Opposition) 
: 
 On behalf of the New Zealand Labour Party I support that motion. To the families facing the awful uncertainty of what has happened to their loved ones we in the House today offer our sympathy our solidarity and our prayers. I think the whole of New Zealand is focused on the efforts to effect the recovery and the rescue of those still underground after last Friday’s mine explosion. After 4 days there is undoubtedly growing frustration and even anger that rescuers have been unable to effect a rescue because of the high levels of toxic and volatile gases in the mine. But what I also saw when I visited families in Greymouth on Sunday was incredible bravery and resilience on the part of the partners parents and siblings who are waiting to hear the news of what has happened to their loved ones. I pay tribute to their courage as they seek to balance hope that the rescue might be successful with the awful reality of what the potential consequences might be. The families that I spoke to wanted to express their gratitude to the community that has gathered around them for the flood of support that they were receiving from across New Zealand and indeed for the support that they were receiving from other countries around the world that were offering their help. 
I also want to acknowledge the commitment of those who are trying to achieve the recovery of the miners and those who are helping in other ways: Peter Whittall the Chief Executive Officer of Pike River Coal who is carrying an incredible responsibility and strain police district commander Gary Knowles and the Mines Rescue unit leader Trevor Watts. To Mayor Tony Kokshoorn non-governmental organisations such as the Red Cross St John Victim Support and others the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union and local and national companies like Air New Zealand that are offering so much help I thank you for your efforts. 
To all of those in the local community who have offered their help I express my admiration and gratitude. On Friday a new class graduated in catering from the Tai Poutini Polytechnic. By Friday night they were volunteering their efforts to do the catering for the families in their community. 
I also acknowledge my colleagues Damien O’Connor and Rick Barker who have stayed on in Greymouth to help where they can. Both Damien and Rick are born and bred Coasters and they know many of the families who are suffering at this time. 
Today and until the recovery can take place our focus is wholly on the men underground and on their families. But when this phase is over there will need to be a high-level inquiry to determine what happened and why and what we can do to prevent a disaster like this ever happening again. With 21st century technology and safety standards a disaster like this simply should not happen. 
On behalf of the Labour Party which was born in the mines and the towns of the West Coast we offer our love and our support for all of those families who just want to know what has happened to their loved ones.