Families committee chairman Colin Smith said the intervening years had been a long journey for the families.
"It is significant, 15 years on.
"We are still working towards getting justice for our men and are still hopeful justice will be served.
"We are hoping to have a decision in that regard either this year or next year. The main focus for the families is to get justice for their men," he said.
The occasion was marked by turning the first sod for the memorial building at the mine site.
"Bernie Monk will hold the shovel and turn the first sod," Mr Smith said yesterday.
"That’s significant in itself as it will be the ultimate memorial for the men.
"Those who visit and take time to sit in the pavilion will be surrounded by the names of the men.
"It’s important to note two children of the [victims] were born after the disaster and now they are teenagers.
"That’s a reflection of the journey to date," Mr Smith said.
Carol Rose, whose son Stu Mudge died in the mine explosion, said it was a poignant day of remembrance for all the families.
"We all get together for a couple of hours and have a catch-up and go to the portal," she said.
"Today is always about the men, just remembering our 29 men.
"Each family mourns for each individual man.
"It is unbelievable that in a country like New Zealand with such a disaster where 29 men lost their lives still there is no prosecution — nobody has been called to account."
The families then had a get-together in the Pike River administration building.
"... To the portal area where there will be one minute’s silence and a roll call".
The start of the memorial pavilion was set down for 4pm with a private gathering, after which the families were to adjourn to a formal Pike River commemoration at nearby Blackball. — Greymouth Star
By Paul McBride
