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Pike River spokesman apprehensively accepts New Year Honour

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 31 Dec 2015, 1:54PM
Bernie Monk, Pike River families spokesman.
Bernie Monk, Pike River families spokesman.

Pike River spokesman apprehensively accepts New Year Honour

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Thu, 31 Dec 2015, 1:54PM

The spokesman for the Pike River families has apprehensively accepted his New Year honour.

Bernie Monk is made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

He said it was a hard decision to accept the title as he feels he let the families down by not getting the boys out of the mine.

"It was no financial advantage for Solid Energy to help the families get them out of the mine and that will be something that will haunt me probably for the rest of my life."

Bernie Monk feels humble to make the honours list and is pleased other members of the Pike River Families Group Committee have been acknowledged as well.

He said the Families Group Committee has worked towards better health and safety regulations across New Zealand.

"We do not want to see other families go through the horror of what we've gone through over the last five years and the treatment - no justice, no accountability and no apologies."

Bernie Monk said the bond between the families showcases if you can operate properly you can be a voice for the country.

 

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