If you have followed me through the years you will know I very rarely make comment on the planned recovery of the Pike River miners.

I’ll comment on the flawed decision processes that led to that fateful day when 29 men lost their lives, but not on going back to find them.

It’s a decision I made right from the beginning. At the time of the disaster I was working as a journalist and producer which meant I spent a lot of time with the players. 

I’ve had many chats with Bernie Monk, including one across his bar in Greymouth. I Looked after Tony Kokshoorn for a day as he visited Auckland. And I’ve talked with many other families affected.

So while I feel very attached to the story I realised I didn’t really have skin in the game. It wasn’t my son or brother or father. I had no right to tell the families how they should feel, or what they should do.

It’s when the families speak that I listen.

So yesterday I listened to Marion Curtin speaking. She’s the mother of Richard Holling. Marion’s thoughts are not those that you hear often because she’s not in favour of re-entry. She’s never been an advocate so she keeps her silence. She’s not a politician making a grand statement.

Yesterday Marion said "I see the re-entry as sacrilege, really. To go in fossicking around for remains... to go in just to see what they find - I think it's just disgraceful."

She hates the fact it has become so political. She said the months leading up to last year's election were especially challenging.

"Some people liked that, the politicians climbing on board. I certainly didn't. That was my son's death they were playing with", she said.

She said the actions of those who were for re-entry had been strategic and systematic, and had kept Pike River Mine at the forefront of everybody's mind. And she hates that. She says it’s a presumption that a majority of Pike River families were for re-entry.

When asked what she needs for closure Marion Curtin said hates that word. She said "There is no such thing as closure. It's a horrible word. You know, to think it's like closing a chapter. I think grief is with you always."

For her a good day is when she never hears the words Pike River and now she’s hearing them all the time

And when asked about the 36 million dollars being spent she said it’s an appalling waste of money.

Marion Curtin spoke for seven minutes yesterday with grace, composure and passion.

As I said at the beginning It’s not for me to say. But I have great sympathy for what Marion Curtin said yesterday.