The families of Pike River victims have hit out at former mine head Peter Whittall, now living in Australia, after he said he does not feel guilty for the deaths of the 29 men.
Mr Whittall quietly left New Zealand in 2014 for Wollongong, south of Sydney, marrying former Pike River financial controller Angela Horne and taking a job as the chief executive of a retirement home.
The Department of Labour laid charges against Mr Whittall in 2013 over health and safety charges, but those were dropped after a $3.4m settlement deal was reached - a deal later ruled to be wrong by the Supreme Court.
Mr Whittall made comments to Stuff after Pike River re-entry minister Andrew Little said further criminal charges could be possible after the mine was re-entered.
The Pike River families are currently considering the prospect of a manslaughter case against Mr Whittall, led by Nigel Hampton QC.
"Do I feel guilt? No," he said, "It is human nature to blame someone."
Mr Whittall said he will cooperate with any investigation, and said no one really knows exactly what happened in the mine, including himself.
"I don't know what happened ... to this day nobody has told me what happened," Mr Whittall told Stuff.
Families of those killed in the explosion on the west coast were met today by the mine re-entry minister Andrew Little. (Source: Other)
"Nobody knows, that's why the families want to go underground ... people have theories but nobody actually knows.
"It was a terrible tragedy but I would defend my position because I feel I always put the interests of my staff and workforce before everything.
"I was awake for 24 hours a day for weeks and months ... I was unemployed for three years ... anybody involved in Pike River would have to say they hit some dark times.
"Do I have an apology to make to the families? I think it's a tragedy and I absolutely apologise that it ever happened to them.
"Do I ever forget it? No.
“Is there a day that goes by where I don't think about the impact it's had on my life and everyone else? No.
"I don't think I've moved on from it and I didn't even have a family member who died ... it was a tragedy that couldn't not affect everyone's lives for their whole lifetime."
Stand with Pike - the organisation representing Pike River families - released a statement this morning denouncing Mr Whittall's comments.
Sonya Rockhouse, whose son Ben died in the mine, said there is "unfinished business" with Whittall.
"Twenty-nine men including my son died because their employer put profit ahead of their safety," Ms Rockhouse said.
"Their bodies were never recovered, the drift was never re-entered, and nobody was held accountable.
"We’ve fought to get into the drift and we’ll keep pushing until we get justice for our boys."
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