Latest from West Coast

Pike River: Preparations underway for national service
The Prime Minister and Governor-General will speak at a memorial for the 29 men who died in the Pike River Coal mine.

Pike River: Concerned miners debate their future
The Pike River blast has led some miners to discuss whether it is safe to remain in the industry.

<i>Leigh Hart:</i> Loss of innocence
Leigh Hart, aka That Guy, shares a very personal account of how mining disasters can affect families.

Pike River: Questions part of the grieving process
Broadcaster Maggie Barry, whose cousin Michael Monk was lost at the Pike River mine, understands when people asked counsellors "funny" questions.

Pike River: Flame burns until men come home
An NZ Mines Rescue member wants the public to understand what the rescue team members are going through.

<i>Kerre Woodham</i>: Public's rescue ideas absurd
"What gave armchair critics the right to criticise and worse - accuse the rescuers of deliberately sitting on their hands?"

Bells toll for Pike River 29
"We pray that their moment of fear becomes eternal peace," said Monsignor Gerry O'Connor during an emotional tribute to the Pike River miners in Greymouth.

Pike River: Third blast rocks Pike mine
Families of the dead men due to be bused to the Pike River mine tomorrow will still go, despite a third explosion at the mine this afternoon.

Pike mine: 'We had time to run like hell'
A Westport man has told how he and three others ran for their lives when the Pike River Coal mine exploded at 2.37pm on Wednesday.

Pike River: Third blast at mine - police
There has been a third explosion at the Pike River mine this afternoon. The blast occurred at 3.39pm and lasted for 23 seconds.

Pike River: Third robot reveals violent blast
A third robot that has gone 1575m into the Pike River coal mine has detected debris and destruction indicating Wednesday's blast was much more violent than the first one.

Pike River: A particularly terrible grief
A small West Coast community will now face the task of recovering and rebuilding following a disaster of devastating proportions.

Pike River: World rescue experts shocked at scale of tragedy
International experts say they are shocked a mining disaster the magnitude of the Pike River tragedy occurred in a modern mine.

Experts on potential techniques to stabilise Pike River
Liquid nitrogen could be used to stabilise the situation in the Pike River mine, experts told the Science Media Centre.

Pike River: Grieving father's plea
He has to accept he has lost a son. But Marty Palmer won't give up until his son's body is back with the family so they can mourn properly.

Pike River: ACC working to ease money fears
The ACC will ensure money is the least of the worries for the families of the Pike River 29, says ACC Minister Nick Smith.

Latest updates: Pike River mine tragedy
Check here for developments in the wake of the Pike River mine disaster today.

Pike River mine disaster: Bodies will be recovered
Rescue authorities are vowing to recover the bodies of the 29 miners - but admit they don't know when it will happen.

Focus 'solidarity' after Pike River tragedy
'People find just that extra little bit, they take a deep breath, they will raise the bar…,' Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says.