Media Statement

Prime Minister marks 2nd anniversary of Pike River tragedy

Prime Minister John Key says his thoughts are with the people of the West Coast as New Zealand remembers the second anniversary of the Pike River mining tragedy.

“There is no comfort in my words for the families of those who died, as they are still living this tragedy day after day.

“However it is fitting and right that we remember that it was this day two years ago that 29 men lost their lives,” says Mr Key.

The explosion at Pike River Mine, northeast of Greymouth, occurred at 3.44 on the afternoon of 19 November 2010.

“I am thinking of the families and the people of the West Coast today. New Zealand has immense sympathy for their continuing grief.”

ends

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Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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