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New Zealand Government to Contribute $3.5m for Pike River Memorial Centre

By Joel ScanlonApr 20 2011

The Prime Minster of New Zealand announced that NZ$3.5 million would be contributed by the government to Greymouth events centre as a tribute to miners who died at Pike River.

The $5 million worth Greymouth events centre is to be built as a memorial to victims of mining tragedies in the region. The remaining $1.5 million for the centre will come from West Coast organizations.

Prime Minister John Key said that the West Coast Miners Memorial Events Centre will commemorate those who lost their lives in the Pike River tragedy, and also those who died in the West Coast mining disasters in the past. He added that this was a project that the West Coast community felt would be valuable for supporting the region as it dealt with the aftermath of November's disaster.

Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said that they were extremely happy with the decision of the government to fund the centre. He said that they have to recognise that the Government's under a huge amount of pressure as they're borrowing a huge amount of money every week, and we've got a real recession biting in at the moment.

Economic development minister David Carter said that the Pike River tragedy had a terrible human cost. In addition to the loss of lives, there was also a significant economic impact as a result of the mine's closure. He hoped that the new events centre would go some way towards helping the local community by creating job opportunities through its construction, including for firms directly affected by the closure of the mine. It will also provide a much-needed community facility.

Written by

Joel Scanlon

Joel relocated to Australia in 1995 from the United Kingdom and spent five years working in the mining industry as an exploration geotechnician. His role involved utilizing GIS mapping and CAD software. Upon transitioning to the North Coast of NSW, Australia, Joel embarked on a career as a graphic designer at a well-known consultancy firm. Subsequently, he established a successful web services business catering to companies across the eastern seaboard of Australia. It was during this time that he conceived and launched News-Medical.Net. Joel has been an integral part of AZoNetwork since its inception in 2000. Joel possesses a keen interest in exploring the boundaries of technology, comprehending its potential impact on society, and actively engaging with AI-driven solutions and advancements.

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APA
Scanlon, Joel. (2019, March 19). New Zealand Government to Contribute $3.5m for Pike River Memorial Centre. AZoMining. Retrieved on February 14, 2026 from https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3959.
MLA
Scanlon, Joel. "New Zealand Government to Contribute $3.5m for Pike River Memorial Centre". AZoMining. 14 February 2026. <https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3959>.
Chicago
Scanlon, Joel. "New Zealand Government to Contribute $3.5m for Pike River Memorial Centre". AZoMining. https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3959. (accessed February 14, 2026).
Harvard
Scanlon, Joel. 2019. New Zealand Government to Contribute $3.5m for Pike River Memorial Centre. AZoMining, viewed 14 February 2026, https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3959.

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