Hi John,

Today, we remember the 29 men who went to work at Pike River Mine and never came home. 

Today marks nine years since the tragedy at Pike River — and for nine years, the families have been waiting for answers to explain what happened to their men.

We promised to do everything possible to safely re-enter the Pike River mine drift, to help those men’s families find out why their loved ones didn’t make it home. Earlier this year, our Coalition Government honoured this promise by re-entering the mine drift — and work to advance further into the mine, and find out what happened on 19 November 2010, continues.

Labour’s always supported your right to safety on the job. Going home to your loved ones is the least you should expect after a day’s work. We’ll continue to stand up for workers and fight to make sure everyone can make it home safely.

There’s still much to do, and we must find out what happened at Pike River. Today, though, belongs to the families and the memory of their men.

Andrew Little