Commission's power confined to NZ

The Pike River Royal Commission of Inquiry says it can only summon people to appear before it in New Zealand, amid fears a number of key former Pike employees have already left the country.

It is understood about 80 former Pike River employees have taken up jobs overseas, including some management.

Families of the 29 victims of the November 19 disaster say about 10 of those need to appear in person at the commission of inquiry, which opens in Greymouth on July 11.

Pike River Coal operations manager Doug White is among the latest to leave for Australia, although families' representative Bernie Monk said Mr White had assured them before he left he would return for the inquiry.

"It's a massive worry for us," Mr Monk said yesterday, referring to the number of potential key witnesses heading offshore.

A royal commission spokeswoman said yesterday the commission had powers under the Commissions of Inquiry Act to compel people to provide information and to summons people to appear at hearings.

It had already exercised those powers before where it believed co-operation was likely, or where confidentiality restrictions would have impeded the voluntary provision of the information.

However, the powers only applied within New Zealand's jurisdiction.

"The commission is open to people contacting it, or counsel for participants, if they have any information or concerns about the commission being able to access information or documents."

So far, the levels of co-operation had been high, she said.

The commission was seeking the active co-operation of all participants.

Mr Monk said many people who had left New Zealand - or those who fly to Australia and back regularly - had already been interviewed by police and the Department of Labour.

 

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