Following the decision not to re-enter the Pike River mine drift, representatives of the Pike River families put forward a package of proposals for the government to consider, which included adding the lands surrounding the Pike River Mine to the Paparoa National Park.

The Acting Minister of Conservation (Pike River), Hon Dr Nick Smith, welcomed the families’ proposals and in February 2015 sought the NZCA's advice, because the NZCA recommends the addition of land to national parks.

Download the report of the NZCA to Hon Dr Nick Smith of 8 June 2015 on the proposal for addition of land at Pike River to the Paparoa National Park:

Proposal for addition of land to Paparoa National Park (PDF, 1,828K)