Rt Hon John Key

Prime Minister

1 December 2010

Media Statement

NZ to observe silence as remembrance service begins

Prime Minister John Key has asked that all of New Zealand observes two minutes’ silence at 2pm tomorrow as the Pike River Official Remembrance Service begins.

The service, to remember the 29 men who lost their lives in the Pike River Mine, will be held at the Omoto Racecourse in Greymouth.

Mr Key says, “I hope all of New Zealand will join with those of us at the service and observe two minutes’ silence at 2pm. This tragedy has affected all of us and tomorrow is an opportunity to join together in grief.”

Mr Key will be accompanied to the service by his wife Bronagh, the Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand and Lady Susan Satyanand, and Speaker of the House, Lockwood Smith.

The service will also be attended by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, Leader of the Opposition Phil Goff and other Leaders and Ministers including Pita Sharples, Rodney Hide, Peter Dunne, Russel Norman, Gerry Brownlee, Nick Smith, Judith Collins and Kate Wilkinson.

Also attending, in recognition of the loss of lives from countries other than New Zealand, will be the Australian Minister of Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson, The Australian High Commissioner HE Paul Sullivan, British High Commissioner HE Victoria Treadell and the South African High Commissioner Anthony Mongalo.

The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Pedro Herrera and Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, Bob Clarke, will also be at the service.

ENDS

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