The Government is promising it will look at the conservation and recreation proposals for Pike River Mine site.

In a statement, the families said they wanted to incorporate the Pike River Mine site and the surrounding area into the Paparoa National Park, to "ensure the future protection of the area and to ensure continued access to the area for families and the New Zealand public".

The proposal includes the establishment of a walking track, of Great Walk status, connecting the Pike River Mine area on the eastern side of the Paparoa Range, to the Punakaiki area on the western side of the range.

It would also support using the existing mine building to create an accommodation and visitors centre for the families and public, which would outline the history of the disaster and the nation's response to it.

A function and training facility would also be part of the centre.

Environment Minister Nick Smith's met with the Pike River Families on the West Coast today and promises their wishes will be given due consideration.

"The government welcomes these very constructive ideas," he says.

"We've got important work to do and we're going to be commissioning a proper study into this proposal."

But Smith won't be drawn on what support, if any, it may lend to the Pike River families and their quest for justice.

Smith is declining to say what support the Government might give them in that respect.

"I'm not prepared to comment on the legal issues associated with the families' requests around the issue of a potential private prosecution. They rest with attorney general," he says.