It has been one week today since an explosion at the Pike River Coal Mine in Greymouth.
tvnz.co.nz brings you the latest developments as they come.
Tunnel bloked Police Minister Judith Collins has said a robot has got as far the loader in the tunnel of the Pike River Mine.
Tunnel bloked Police Minister Judith Collins has said a robot has got as far the loader in the tunnel of the Pike River Mine.
However she said the loader was blocking further access to the tunnel and rescuers are trying to find a way around that.
Specialist equipment flown in Specialist equipment intended to make the Pike River mine safe for the recovery of the bodies of the 29 men lost has arrived in Hokitika from Australia.
The equipment, termed a "gag unit", touched down in the Royal New Zealand Airforce Hercules around 6.30am.
Queensland Mines Rescue Service manager Wayne Hartley said the machine is used for controlling underground coalmine fires.
"It displaces explosive gases or methane gases, extinguishes any fires and suppresses any sparking or sources of ignition."
Australia is also sending more equipment and 15 experienced Queensland Mine Rescue staff to New Zealand.
Senior mine managers and government inspectors from Queensland are also on standby in case they're needed, to relieve exhausted New Zealand experts.
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