Pike River

Pike River will eventually go into production without adequate ventilation, no viable secondary egress, and no means of escape other than the single two point three kilometre stone drive, despite the fact that single egress mines have long been banned in most countries in the world.

– The narrator on the safety failings of the Pike River mine

We have the ability to keep people safe at work. Sometimes we lack the will, and sometimes the driver for that lack of will is money . . . the mighty golden carrot.

– Pike River safety training manager Neville Rockhouse on the mine's safety shortcuts

Even in Zimbabwe legislation doesn't allow you to have a main fan underground; and they're not exactly sort of the flashest with their legislation.

– One of those interviewed, on the positioning of the main ventilation fan

The explosion's pressure wave travels almost two and a half kilometres in 20 seconds. The blast lasts 52. At the time of the explosion, 31 men are underground.

– The narrator describes the incident at Pike River mine

The most critical thing for us on a project like this was to have the support of the families on board, because as you say it's incredibly raw, they've been dealing with it stop since the tragedy occurred.

– Producer Philly de Lacy on working on the docu-drama, RNZ Standing Room Only, 20 November 2016

I honestly believe I can create a best practice, high tech, high yield mine...

– NZ Oil and Gas Finance Manager Gordon Ward (Adam Gardiner) pushes the case for Pike River Mine

...you do get this a lot with geology: the small amount of data at the start makes things look simple  . . . That's the problem: what's really in the drill holes doesn't make it into the model for mining if you don't take account of the complexity. That was a recurring concern that I had. The geologist knows, but no one listens to the geologist.

– Geologist Jane Newman on drill hole research before deciding to build the Pike River Mine

Twenty-nine men died on the 19th of November, so is that okay for no one to be held responsible for that? How can that be, in the 21st century in New Zealand?

– Kath Monk, mother of miner Michael Monk, late in this documentary

We as [West] Coasters, thought that Peter Whittall had it totally under control, because to not have it under control and to risk that entire operation and three hundred million dollars worth of coal mine…you would have been mad.

– Ex Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn, on Peter Whittall's management of the Pike River Mine

I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it. In fact, this whole thing is just so massive, I can't get my head around it, and I sure as hell can't get my heart around it either. It's too big . . . They killed our men, our boys: they killed them.

– Leeza Verhoeven, mother of miner Zen Drew, on the tragedy