Original subtitles

[wind whistles distantly]

[whistling fades]

[singing bowl rings, hums, thrumming ambient music]

[singing bowl rings, music continues]

[pensive string music builds gently]

[singing bowl rings]

[pensive music continues]

[singing bowl rings]

[water trickles, droplets echo]

[pensive string music continues]

[music fades slowly]

[droplet echoes]

[water drips slowly]

[footsteps approach, door clunks, creaks]

-Hon? -Hmm?

-Let's get you out. -[grunts softly]

[water sloshes]

[tyres screech, yelling on devices]

Hey, bed.

You too, okay?

Those cows won't milk themselves.

Come on. I'm gonna take this.

-[sighs] -[grunts]

-[dog whines softly] -Thank you.

-Night, Daddy. -Mm.

Hey.

-Come on. -Mm.

[sighs softly]

Don't go in tomorrow.

I have to.

We're way behind.

Just take the day off.

You can't get sick.

It's just a headache.

If I don't make it...

you have to be here for the kids.

You're not going anywhere.

-You beat it before. -Yeah, and it came back.

It's not aggressive.

It's watch and wait.

I'm watching.

[birdsong]

[soft, pensive string music]

Come on.

[pensive string music continues]

Boys.

[pensive music continues]

[horn toots]

[music continues]

[music fades]

All right, guys. Listen up. Huck and Francis on the brumby.

-Simmsy. -Yo.

Bog out from the south sump and dump it in the grizzly.

-On it. -Milt, Terry, Sam.

-Yep. -Carry on installing the 4-inch

-in by A heading. -[Milt] We know.

-Uh, Mike, Lindsay? -Yep.

Stoppings, cross cut four. Zen and Kane, ditto, please.

-Rockhouse boys, where are you? -Hey.

Daniel, can you get the loader going? It has broken down.

-Again? -[laughter]

Yes, again. And Ben,

you are with Joe.

He is our clean skin.

You and Josh show him the ropes, please.

-Is he even legal? -Fully. 17 yesterday!

[all cheer]

[all singing] ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

[pensive string music]

Oi!

Ben, wait up.

What?

Heard you had an incident yesterday.

Oh, it's fine. It's no biggie. Just... skin off my hands.

Well, give us a look.

Don't get up on me. I did the form.

Hey, did Daddy kiss it better for ya?

-Shut the fuck up. -[laughter]

[indistinct chatter]

[pensive music continues]

[music fades]

[man groans]

[door closes distantly]

[man groans quietly]

Too hard?

-[man groans] -Rocky?

-Mm. -Too hard?

Mm.

No, no.

[stammers] When's Neville coming?

-He can't. They're flat out. -Oh.

-Hang on till Christmas? -[chuckles]

He's coming then. He'll bring the boys.

-They enjoying it down there? -Yeah, loving it.

Especially Ben.

He was...

He was struggling a bit at uni, you know?

He was giving himself a hard time.

Like you.

Anyway...

this is a good job for him.

He's got mates. He's earning money.

He's saving to go overseas. Did I tell you that?

Yeah, that's the story, see the world.

Good on him. [chuckles]

Yeah.

Don't moan. You all promised me. So open.

We're gonna skip the group activity papers.

We'll go straight into creative... writing.

Okay? Open it up.

Nice of you to join us, Sonya.

And your homework, get that out, please.

I want proof. I need to see that you've done it.

Right, um, just your text, so I'll float around,

and I will have a look at each of your texts.

[country music plays]

[sing-songy] Come on.

-Mum. -Dance with your mum.

-Shame. -I might go get some chips.

Thanks.

-[sighs] -you're a man now.

-No, I'm not. -Yes, you are, a working man.

-Tit puller. -[scoffs]

Sharemilker, Leash.

Okay. Look, save it for Dad, yeah? He loves this.

Okay.

Let's toast...

to your first pay.

-Cheers. -Cheers.

Cheers.

♪ And I can see it clear ♪

Now I'm gonna whip your arse.

No, you're not. [chuckles]

You break.

Okay.

-No pressure. -No pressure.

[crack!]

♪ Maybe just want Some reason to live... ♪

[thud echoes]

[high-pitched ringing rises]

[ringing reverberates, intensifies]

[hawk screeches]

[wind whistles]

[telephone rings, country music plays]

Yep.

Anna. Anna.

[indistinct chatter]

Hey.

Hello?

Oh, no, he's actually not here yet.

Sorry, I can't-- I can't quite...

[music, chatter fades]

Uh...

Okay.

Okay.

[country music plays]

Bernie speaking.

[pants lightly]

[siren wails, approaches]

-Tommy! -Heard it on the

fire brigade frequency, a callout to the mine.

-Is he here? Deb? Is he here? -No. No, he's not.

Okay, um, stay here till Dad gets home,

and just call me when he gets back, okay? Kids?

[ute departs]

[indistinct radio chatter]

[uneasy, eerie music]

[wipers creak rhythmically]

[radio chatter continues]

[tense, uneasy music]

[music fades]

[brakes squeak lightly]

[hand brake clicks, engine turns off]

[keys jangle]

-Oh, hey, Mum? -Yeah?

-Have you heard from the boys? -No. Why?

[on TV] ...on the phone to staff at the mine as we speak.

He did confirm, though, that there were 35 miners

down in the mine for the afternoon shift...

It won't be them.

They don't know whether it's a communication problem...

Dan doesn't work Fridays, and Ben's on nights.

Okay, honey, and if you see your brother,

just give me a quick call. I mean, I know you're okay.

I just need to hear your voice. Love you. Bye.

[wipers squeak]

[gravel crunches]

[sirens wail in distance]

Open the gate.

My husband's in there. Milton Osborne?

Open the bloody gate!

-[handset beeps] -open the gate up, guys.

[gate clunks, whirrs]

[guard speaks indistinctly]

Where's the mine?

[gravel crunches]

Have you guys got a procedure if something like this happens?

How far away is the mine?

Can we walk up there, or is it a drive? How far is it?

You can't go up there, mate.

[siren wails]

[siren stops]

[advertisements play on TV]

-Son? -Yeah.

Just heard on the radio.

-Are the boys okay? -Uh...

Uh, I don't know. I mean, I...

[chuckles] I don't know what I'm doing.

Looks like you're packing.

I don't know where it is. Up a mountain somewhere?

[gate clatters open]

[siren wails, approaches]

[siren wails]

-Two have come out. -Milt?

No, cop said they walked out. There could be more.

[uneasy music]

[music fades]

[radio static]

-[quietly] Fuck. Fuck. -[radio static]

Come on.

No signal. Come on. We're in the mountains. You know that.

Yeah, I know we're in the bloody mountains.

I can see them.

Something good will come of this.

Like what?

Yeah. I don't know what.

I can tell, right?

[cell phone rings]

Yeah?

What?

[machine beeps steadily]

Mum.

[softly] Daniel.

Mum... Sorry.

-I stink. -[chuckles]

You okay?

Did you...

Did you see-- Did you see Ben?

Your boy's a hero.

-What? -He saved my husband's life.

-[breathes shakily] -Did you see him?

[Daniel sobs] No, no, no, no, no.

It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. Shh.

It's okay.

-You're okay. You're okay. -[sobs]

You're safe.

You're safe. You're safe.

-You're safe, honey. -[sobs]

You're safe.

Hey, Nev.

Hey, Nev! Was Ben in the mine?

[helicopter blades whirr]

[indistinct radio chatter]

[engine starts]

[cell phone chimes]

[radio chatter continues]

[car doors close]

[ringing tone]

-Hi, darling. -Hi, Mum.

[sniffles] Have you heard anything yet?

Yeah, not yet. Any minute now.

Is Casey with you?

Yeah.

Good. Well...

get some sleep. I'll call you first thing.

-Love you. -Okay.

Night, Mama.

[helicopter blades whirr overhead]

[radio chatter continues]

[soft, wistful music]

-You'll be all right? -Yep.

Mrs Rockhouse.

Mrs Rockhouse.

Mrs Rockhouse?

Sonya? How is your son?

We just want to know if he's all right, Sonya.

Your husband works for the company?

It's ex-husband, all right?

Can you get out of the way, please? It's enough.

It's Peter Whittall. Stuart, it's Peter Whittall!

Peter?

-Mr Whittall! -[reporters clamour]

Sarah here from 31 News. I have a few questions, please.

Peter, do you have anything to say to the families

of the...

Right, uh...

I just wanted to say that I know this is not easy,

and I just wanted to be here with you this morning

to let you know the information that-- that I know.

Yeah.

So I, uh...

I know the night you've all had.

Pike River Coal is a family.

Your men are my men,

and we'll not rest till we get them home again safe and sound.

Peter, have any more got out?

Uh, not yet.

But we're hopeful.

We've got Mines Rescue up there, ready to go in.

When are they going in?

As soon as the gas comes down, Rowdy.

So you've talked to the boys down there, have you?

Yeah, no.

Not yet.

[sighs] the lines are down.

[scattered murmurs]

But we know where they'll be--

in the fresh air base.

It's got everything they need. You know, it's got water, air.

There's a pipeline. You just turn it on, and out it comes.

Now, there's enough there to last for seven days.

But we'll have them back before then.

[indistinct chatter]

Do you mind putting your contact information here?

Yeah, doesn't Pike have our numbers?

We do try. It's on the personnel forms,

but the guys don't always fill it in.

Oh. And you work for Pike, do you?

Health and safety manager. Neville Rockhouse.

Oh. Question for you, Neville,

if it's so bloody safe, how come it blew up?

Come on. Let's get back.

[police radio chatter]

[soft, pensive guitar music]

This was a large-scale plan. I brought this one along

to show you the full length of the tunnel.

Whereabouts do you think my husband, Milton Osborne,

and his guys would have been working?

Well, Milt and the Subtech team,

they were working down the south here,

so not too far from a fresh air base.

Three days since an explosion at the Pike River Mine

in New Zealand, authorities say it is still unsafe

to send rescue crews underground.

General Manager of New Zealand Mines Rescue Trevor Watts

-says it could take... - [doorbell rings]

...about two hours to reach the men by foot

once they're given the clearance to begin the rescue.

In the mine are 24 New Zealanders, two Australians,

two British citizens and one South African.

Hi, I'm Jenny. This is Sam. We're just wondering if, um,

-you've heard anything. -Hey, Leash.

Leash, shut the door. No! Get out of here!

[door slams, dog barks]

[cell phone rings]

[cell phone rings]

-Hon? -Hey, Mum.

A lady came from...

-the magazine. -What did she say?

[sobs quietly]

[breathes anxiously]

Tell me, Leash.

She was asking about Dad.

[sobs quietly]

-Your kids need you. -[sighs]

Milt needs me.

What if he comes back and I'm not here?

He'll know where to find you.

[soft, uneasy music]

[helicopter blades whirr]

Greymouth is a place of hope right now, but as...

An army of high-tech gadgetry is being deployed

at Pike River, including...

The Prime Minister John Key's flying to the West Coast

this morning ahead of that latest meeting

with the families...

Four fuckin' days, Gary. What are you playing at?

Don't make trouble, Mr Drew.

Nah, nah, you're out of your fuckin' depth.

We can't just charge in.

We need to make sure the recovery is safe.

[quiet murmuring]

-Recovery? -The-- The rescue.

No, don't you fork-tongue me, mate.

Your mouth's telling one story,

and your eyes are telling another story.

You need to walk in truth!

Fuckin' pig.

Fork tongue? What's he going on about?

[door thuds]

You know what you've gotta do, Peter.

You're gonna have to seal the mine.

-[indistinct murmuring] -no.

No.

You can't. You can't bury them alive.

-We won't do that. -You're a mining man,

same as me, so you know what I'm saying.

-No way. no. -[murmuring continues]

We have not given up,

and we will not give up.

[indistinct conversation]

[bird chirps]

[on TV] The hole will be used to take air samples,

but it will also allow rescuers to hear anyone talking.

The names of the 29 have not yet been released,

but more and more of those names are now being reported.

-The police say... -Oh, yuck. No.

[vehicle doors close outside, indistinct voices]

[cell phone chimes]

-[engine starts outside] -Huh.

"Significant update."

[quiet, indistinct conversations]

[assembly quietens]

Good afternoon. I've just come from the mine.

We've been monitoring the situation, as you know,

very closely.

Got the Mines Rescue guys up there donning on their gear.

This morning, we were told it's looking good.

The gas is down. no. [applause]

[cheering]

Folks. Folks.

Please, calm down.

There's been another explosion at the mine.

[murmuring rises, fades]

All the men are dead.

-No! -[crowd exclaim, shout angrily]

[screaming]

[weeping]

[wails]

You really fucked us over, didn't you?

[shouting, wailing, weeping]

-[cries] -[crowd clamour, wail]

We'll get the guys home.

[low, dark music]

You fuckin' lied to us!

Whatever it takes, we'll get them home.

[sobs]

-When? -I honestly don't-

-[sobs] When are you...? -I don't know.

-When? When? -I honestly don't know.

-But soon. By Christmas, I hope. -When? When?!

-[man speaks indistinctly] -No, no, by...

Christmas, I hope.

We'll bring them home. Whatever it takes.

-[angry, indistinct shouting] -We'll bring them home.

[dark, ominous music pulses, builds]

[dissonant, distorted tones]

[dark music continues]

[music pulses, fades slowly]

[sobs]

[exhales sharply]

[soft, uneasy music rises]

[sighs slowly]

[bell tolls in distance]

[bell tolls]

[Anna] Home by Christmas, Peter. That's what you said.

Well, that's-- that's what I hoped.

I need my husband. He can't stay there.

I need to bury him.

[indistinct murmuring]

Look.

There were flames a mile high

shooting out of the shaft for 10 days.

The men are gone.

They'll be nothing but ash.

-Well, prove that. -Oh, come on, Bernie.

How do you expect me to prove

the non-existence of something that's not there?

Just go in and get my son Michael.

-Yeah. -His mother wants him home.

-Okay, sit down, Mr Monk. -No, I'm sick of your bullshit.

-This is not your meeting. -Well, whose meeting is it?

[indistinct murmuring]

I'll hold a meeting of my own.

Gonna hold it outside.

[door opens]

[door closes]

-Can you move? -Sorry.

God.

[Peter] Look. Look, I know this is hard for all of us.

[Gary] I am truly sorry.

There is nothing more we can do.

Thank you, Gary. The thing is, some fires...

-Listen. -...they burn underground

-for 40 years. -Listen!

-You've gotta know that. -Listen!

For five days,

we were lied to.

Five days!

Our men were dead.

Every miner on the Coast knew that,

and they also knew it was going to blow again.

But did these bozos listen?

You should never have been in charge,

and you shouldn't be in charge now.

We need to get ourselves a lawyer.

I know someone. I'm going to call him.

So are you with me? Or are you with these clowns?

I'm with you, Bernie. Fuckin' A.

[murmuring]

Fuck it. I'm with you, Bernie.

[indistinct conversations]

Yeah, fuck it.

[indistinct conversations continue]

[sniffles]

It's your call.

[seagull caws]

Do you want me to pack your stuff, Son?

I can't stop thinking about him burning, Pete.

[softly] You wanna stay?

No, no. I've got work.

I can't leave him.

[breathes shakily]

[whispers] I can't leave him.

[seagull caws]

[hand brake clicks, engine turns off]

[spoon clinks]

If everybody'd like to just gather round. Thank you.

-We can start. -Thank you.

This is Colin. He's our lawyer.

-Hey, Colin. -Hello.

He's also my brother-in-law, so he's cheap.

I'm actually free. [laughter]

Well, that's what I meant.

Well, um,

as I see it,

the key thing is to have a voice in what happens next,

a united voice.

There are 29 families here, all wanting the same thing,

to get the men home.

And we need some bloody answers.

We want to know why this thing blew. What happened up there?

That's not-- That's not our-- That's not our job. I mean,

there's a Commission of Inquiry for that. Our purpose

is to ensure that the promise made to you is kept...

[murmurs of agreement]

...that your men will not be abandoned.

-Right. -Fuckin' oath.

-Exactly. -Anna.

Yeah.

What's he doing here?

-Excuse me? -He works for Pike.

-I lost my son. -Yeah, well, I lost mine too,

brother, and if you'd done your job,

-he'd probably still be here. -Back off, lady.

-He's got blood on his hands. -I didn't kill anyone.

Health and Safety Manager?

-Where was the safety? -Now, you listen.

Two of my sons were in that mine.

Yeah, and you got one back.

-Lucky for you. -Fuck did you say?

I said he's lucky.

One alive and one dead? How the fuck is that lucky?

-Sorry, who are you? -How dare you!

-The other wife? -Stop it. Stop it!

Order. Stop it! Stop it!

This is a family group, and if you've lost someone,

you've got every right to be here. All right? End of story.

[keys jangle]

First wife.

They're my sons.

And you can sit next to him?

-It's not his fault. -You know that, do you?

[engine starts]

[seagulls call]

[door slams]

Daniel.

Come on. You-- You gotta tell me.

If it really was that dangerous, what was Dad doing?

-Leave him out of it. -No, he's there. He's there.

No.

No, when we came out...

Dad was the first one I saw coming across that bridge.

[sighs] fuck.

Just seeing him, I buckled, and he picked me up...

carried me to the cars all covered in... mud,

stinkin' of that shit.

And he's going, 'Is Ben there?

'Is Ben there?'

I just froze. I couldn't...

couldn't say anything to him. And so...

I just nodded, and...

He just goes, "I killed my son."

"I killed my son."

He said that?

Yeah.

Yeah.

[knock on door]

It's not a great time. He's in the shower.

Well, get him out.

Get him out!

[water runs]

[footsteps recede]

[footsteps approach]

Who's been in your ear?

You look at me and tell me the truth.

-Did you do your job? -I did everything I could.

-What does that mean? -Every detail, I swear.

I was all over it. But...

[scoffs] if you're not getting the support--

What support?

-[drawer slams] -What support?

-From higher up. -From Peter.

-Stay the fuck out of this! -The man's a bully.

-Didn't look like it to me. -Oh, well, you weren't there.

He undermined me all the time.

Can't do this, can't have that, no money.

There was verbal abuse.

-I resigned three times. -He did.

The men begged me to come back. Well, who else

-was gonna look after them? -They're dead.

-On your fucking watch! -Don't you dare. Don't you...

-No, it's never your fault- -...fuckin' dare!

-It's never your fault! -I think you should go, Sonya.

Yeah, I will, Tracy.

And I'll take these, 'cause I think they're mine.

[footsteps recede]

[door slams]

[on TV] ...50% off absolutely everything in store.

♪ More than just great prices - Lighting Plus ♪

Hurry! Ends Sunday.

[jingle plays on TV]

Spend over $200 at--

[dog barks in distance]

[on TV] West Coasters say the Royal Commission into Pike River

must find the cause of the coal mine tragedy.

- It's six months today... -Mum?

...since the West Coast mine exploded, killing 29 men.

Gay Cavill reports.

The mine disaster in which 29 men died...

[TV continues playing indistinctly]

[door creaks]

[sombre, pensive piano music]

-Sonya. -Sonya!

Sonya, can we get some comments please?

No, thank you. Can you not do that?

[beep-beep!]

[sombre piano music continues]

Hands up to your side, please.

Sorry.

Before we begin, I'd like to say a few words to the families.

Your men are the reason we are here.

Tragedies like this are often the reason

why inquiries like this take place.

We might ask -

why does it take a tragedy

to make us look properly at whether things are done right?

This is not a criminal investigation;

this commission is charged with finding out what happened

and why and making sure it doesn't happen again.

[brakes squeak]

[door creaks open]

Well, you won't come home, so home's come to you.

-[chuckles] Oh, that? -[Pete chuckles]

Yep.

[laughs]

Oh! Oh, Pete.

[laughs]

Pete!

[indistinct hubbub]

You saving that?

Might be.

Snap.

How many kilos?

Twelve.

Same.

[woman] All rise.

Dinner.

[footsteps approach]

You don't have to go every day.

Um, I do, darling.

Why?

Because I have to understand.

I have to.

[sighs] I'm just whacked tonight.

It was delicious.

[door closes]

I might move out.

Don't.

-Jake's got a place near work. -Rob... don't.

[fervent string and piano music]

Welcome back to all this morning.

It was a marathon session yesterday,

and I expect it is going to be something of the same today.

We will have a number of expert witnesses...

Department of Labour...

Do you promise to tell the truth,

the whole truth and nothing...

Given your experience of over 30 years...

[fervent music continues]

But we're gonna take a deeper dive into that.

There are maps here of the layout of the mine.

Now, I would just draw your attention to the top...

left-hand corner of the map,

where it says ABM

Continuous Miner

CM-041.

[music ends]

-Are you getting any of this? -Oh, fuck, I don't know.

-I'm trying. -It's like someone's-

It's like someone's ripped off the top of your head, you know,

and just poured fucking concrete in.

Mm-hm.

I mean...

Some things...

Some things I understand, methane, you know? I've got gas.

-[snorts] -[laughs] I don't...

[splutters]

I'm sorry. I don't mean- Obviously, I don't...

-have gas. -I love farts.

Fuck, I love farts. [giggles] Pete and I go camping

all the time, and we play fart tennis inside the tent.

And then you open the flaps at the end.

-Fart tennis? -Yeah, fart tennis. Like...

-[imitates rhythmic farting] -Oh, no.

And then you open the flaps at the end,

and you let all the farts out.

Stop saying flaps.

Flaps. What, flaps? Just open them.

[both laugh]

[squeals, farts] No!

Oh, no! [giggles]

[Sonya giggles, speaks indistinctly]

When I arrived, there was nothing.

It was a mountainside and a feasibility study.

Essentially, I was brought on to build the mine

from the ground up.

There was one toilet

for 60 men underground.

I'm quoting from a worker's testimony.

'Most of the guys

'had to resort to going on the ground...

'digging their own little hole like a dog.'

Interesting snapshot.

Incident report from a shift deputy.

'Fire and explosion hazards, inadequate ventilation,

'inadequate leadership, inadequate work standards.'

That word again and again,

inadequate.

This is months before the explosion.

Gas sensors not working or transmitting incorrect readings.

Methane spikes reaching explosive levels.

This happened on more than 20 occasions.

Fireballs shooting out of the walls.

These men are saying over and over...

'Do something. Do it now!'

Hmm. Now,

the fresh air base that you mentioned

after the first explosion as a place of safety for the men,

did it have a door?

My understanding is there was a door.

And in this fresh air base, there were self-rescuers?

-As I understand it. -And a first aid kit?

As I understand it.

As you understand it.

Had you ever been in there?

II never went into it, no.

[murmuring]

Here's what Daniel Rockhouse found when he went into it.

He found an empty shipping crate...

gaping open, full of toxic smoke.

No compressed airline, no water, no self-rescuers.

A place that had, in fact, been decommissioned weeks before

and contained nothing that could sustain human life.

Despite all warnings...

the worst that could happen did happen,

and a desperate man sought refuge.

And this is what he found.

[low, tense music]

[door creaks open]

-[water trickles] -[pants]

[sobs]

Oh, here.

-There you go. -Much obliged.

You were frickin' awesome.

Mm.

I hate driving when it's like this. Just...

Yeah. You can stay in the bus if you want.

-Want to? -Oh, yeah.

Come on. We'll have to run for it, though.

Oh. I don't really run.

Aargh! Aah!

-Aah! -[cackles]

-Aah! how far away is it? -[laughs]

Where's your man?

-Home. He had to work. -[toothbrush scrapes]

What does he do?

He's a soundie for bands.

-He used to be a roadie. [spits] -Oh.

[water trickles]

[spits]

Milt loved music.

He had a great voice.

Him and Alisha used to do YouTube karaoke. [chuckles]

And at all the Fire Service do's, he'd get up and sing.

Yeah, he was a volunteer fireman.

[soft, ambient music]

Big outdoor guy, but...

he had a really soft side to him too.

He liked icing cakes.

He sounds like such a nice guy.

[music fades]

He was my world.

[rain patters outside]

I nearly didn't go out with him.

-No way. Really? -Yeah.

He asked me so many times,

and I said, "No."

[sighs]

I worked in a pub, and...

he used to come in. He knew I had Wednesday afternoons off,

and he just kept trying.

Just...

He was older than me, and...

I thought...

I don't know what I thought, but I just... I wasn't into it.

-Mm. -And then...

one day, he said,

"If you don't want to come,

I will never ask you again, but...

please just go for a drive with me."

And, oh, I wasn't doing anything else, so I said, "Okay." And...

And when he showed up at my house, he had this...

little piece of paper stuck to his chin

where he'd cut himself shaving... [laughs]

'cause he'd been going so fast. He didn't wanna be late.

[chuckles]

And I just-- I...

I knew. I knew that afternoon that I'd marry him.

I won the lottery.

He was the rock in our family.

The best dad,

the best husband.

He nursed me through cancer.

And I thought we'd get old together, unless I went first.

It's a real love story.

Yeah.

It must be terrible losing a son, but...

I reckon it's worse losing a husband.

No. Nothing's worse than losing a child.

[softly] Yeah. Oh...

I'm sorry. I-- I shouldn't have said that.

You can say whatever you want.

There were numerous warnings of a potential catastrophe

at Pike River. In the drive towards coal production,

the company failed to meet their responsibilities under the law

and exposed their workers to unacceptable risks.

Every day, these men walked into danger,

and no one cried halt.

The mine was new. It was not fully built.

Its health and safety systems were not adequate...

[poignant, melancholic string and piano music]

[poignant music continues]

[tattoo machine buzzes]

[music continues]

[music softens]

It's perfect.

Okay, great.

Let's mark it.

[gentle piano music]

[chair thuds]

Sonya?

[music fades]

-Gidday, mate. -Sorry, who are you?

Helen Kelly. I phoned you about Ben.

Yeah.

No, thanks.

It was a workplace death.

There should be compensation.

-It's not about money. -No, I know that, mate.

[chairs continue thudding]

Just in case you change your mind.

Don't want it.

I don't want anything to fucking do with it.

-Why not? -Cos she's a trade union

shit-stirrer. I've seen her on the telly.

Protesting is what it's called, eh?

Yeah, well, it pisses people off.

-So? -Ben wasn't even in the union.

Right? He didn't even sign a contract.

-Are you kidding, Son? -No, I'm not kidding!

Fuck them.

-Fuck them! -Why don't you fight, Son?

Hey? Instead of blowing off the only person

-who's ever tried to help ya? -Well, she is not the one,

and if she gets on to it, then I'm just gonna look--

-What are you afraid of? -I'm gonna look like

a big stroppy bitch with my hands out!

Right.

Well, you're not.

Okay?

[soft, pensive music]

[music continues]

-What he's doing? -Yeah.

All care and no responsibility.

-Exactly. -Sorry. We're closed.

Oh, uh, I don't want a drink.

My husband used to work at Pike, after it blew.

helping the cops with the underground cameras.

What underground cameras?

Don't say where you got it.

[door opens]

[mouse clicks]

[keyboard clacks]

-No, no, wait. There. -Hmm?

There.

Is that...?

It's a man.

Look at him.

He could be sleeping.

[low, uneasy music]

[key clacks]

What's that?

It's not burned.

Fuck this.

[music continues]

"Men are gone".

Yeah, right.

Stop. Stop, stop, stop.

Go back. Go back. Go back.

Go in there.

[low, eerie music]

[sobs quietly]

Hi, darling.

[sobs]

Hi.

[music builds slowly]

[Bernie] The police had these images from day one.

Yeah.

We were told "nothing but ash".

-Yeah. -Well, what's the story?

First thing is I want to give you absolute reassurance

that we are committed to getting the boys out.

Nothing's ever changed from that.

Well, so what's the holdup?

Is your government with us or not?

When people tell you that we're not, I hate to say it,

but they're really playing with your emotions.

You're the number one group that wants to get those men out;

quite frankly, I'm the number two.

It's not an issue of money. It's not an issue of time.

We just wanna get them out.

[applause]

We've had promises before, John.

We want action.

Show me a plan for re-entry, a safe and credible plan.

Good. Thanks very much, Prime Minister.

It is good to know that you're behind us on this. Thank you.

[engine approaches]

[birdsong]

[engine turns off]

Mum.

Mum!

Come quick.

[on TV] Right, let's go to Lloyd Burr live

-from the Wellington newsroom. -Almost a year since...

Oh, fuck. Where's the, um, thing?

There.

...it's just been announced former Pike River

Chief Executive Peter Whittall is to face 12 charges

under the Health and Safety Act.

Families spokesperson Bernie Monk says

it's time those responsible were made accountable...

Oh, shit. they are gonna take him down. [chuckles]

...and he's looking forward to seeing Mr Whittall in court.

- Mr Whittall... -[cell phone rings]

-Oh, this is... -...could not be reached

for comment, but it's understood he will contest the charges,

with a court date likely to be late 2012.

Yeah. Hi!

Are you watching?

Oh, fuckin' far out.

They're gonna do it. It's fuckin' happening.

I know. I can't. I just, like...

cannot believe...

[remote thuds]

[pensive, curious music]

[curious music continues]

[horn honks]

[music ends]

Suck on that. Now they have to go through with it.

What the hell are you playing at?

-What's wrong with it? -Everything.

It's homemade. It's aggressive.

It's embarrassing.

-I'm not embarrassed. -To the government.

They've given us everything we want,

and it looks like you're just throwing it back in their faces.

With respect, it's naive.

Why?

Because it's not the way things are done.

Well, I... wanna say how I feel.

Well, say it to us, over a drink.

Not to some bloody paper when we've got the ear of the

Prime Minister, and he's giving us the very thing we want.

I'm pushing him.

Men like that don't like to be pushed.

So, what, I'm supposed to just sit at home knitting,

-waiting for the phone to ring? -Settle down. God.

We've gotta work with them, Anna.

There's a lot going on behind the scenes.

Look, we've hired experts, international people.

They've made a plan. This, all this, this is what it takes,

not some pissy little sign hanging from the bridge.

It feels like the only thing I've done for Milt

in two fuckin' years!

Yeah, all right, but you didn't ask!

I didn't know I had to ask, Bernie.

[Colin] It's the family group, Anna.

A united voice.

Oh, just bloody pull your head in.

[fire crackles]

[birds squawk in distance]

-Hey, I loved your sign, mate. -You kicked their bloody arses.

No, no. I got a growling.

Well, you set the wheels in motion. That's what you did.

Yeah, but there's wheels within wheels.

-They don't wanna do it. -You getting

astral communication on this, are you?

You've gotta trust yourself.

-You know what you know. -[Pete] Yeah.

There's good and evil in this world.

And if you pay attention, you'll know what's coming.

There's always a sign.

He tohu.

The universe is always speaking.

Question is, are you listening?

[bagpipe music rises]

[bagpipes skirl]

[bagpipes continue playing]

Michael Monk.

[bagpipes continue playing]

[poignant, emotive music]

Zen Wodin Drew.

Dan the man.

We're coming for you, boy.

Terry Kitchen.

Ben Rockhouse.

[emotive music continues]

[bagpipes skirl]

[both] Milton Osborne.

Dad

[sobs]

[bagpipes continue playing]

All rise.

In the matter now before the court,

the Department of Labour versus Peter William Whittall,

a decision has been made that this prosecution

is not going to proceed.

Mr Whittall is now formally discharged

in relationship to all 12 charges before the court.

In consideration, Mr Whittall has offered a voluntary payment

of $3.41 million to the families.

The prosecution have provided to the court all the names

of the family members and their bank account details.

Mr Whittall, you're now free to go.

[poignant, introspective music]

[music continues to play]

[poignant music continues]

[music fades]

[keys clack lightly]

-[Pete] It's in already. -What?

It was a done deal.

Something good will come of this.

That's what you said.

[breathes anxiously]

Ah.

[howls madly]

Jesus! Mum!

-[cries, laughs] -[giggles]

I'm... sorry, honey. Granny's angry.

-[giggles] -Ohh. [laughs]

Thank you for my cuddle. I'm sorry, darling. I'm sorry.

-Come on. -I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[sighs] I'm sorry.

[whimpers, pants]

[sighs softly]

[traffic whooshes distantly]

[door opens]

-Mate? -[door closes]

Bloody hell.

Come here.

I was in the car when I heard. I had to get off the road.

I couldn't-- I just...

Couldn't believe it.

Hundred ten grand for my son's life.

[sniffles]

It's not even their money. It's corporate insurance.

You're kidding.

No, you get killed on the job, your boss gets a payout.

This is gonna kill people.

We can't deal with this.

You shouldn't have to.

Do you wanna fight this?

How do you fight a judge?

[gentle, pensive piano music]

So, who is this guy?

A mate. He's happy to work pro bono.

Oh, yeah? Is he shit?

Apparently, he's 'frickin' awesome'.

Ohh.

Gidday, Nigel.

If I'm a bus driver,

and I'm drunk,

and I drive off the road and kill my passengers,

let's say there's 29 of them,

I'm liable.

My actions and decisions led to that place,

and I'm charged with dangerous driving causing death.

If I then say,

'Look,

"could I just pay some money to the families of the people I killed?"

Will that be sufficient?

"Do I really have to stand trial for taking those lives?

Or can I offer my condolences and a large wad of cash?"

There's only one right answer to that question.

So...

-Okay, so it's winnable? -It's a lay-down hand.

[chuckles]

-How long will it take? -It's not a speedy process.

Maybe six months?

I might not be here.

Oh, stop it.

My cancer's back.

Why didn't you tell me?

I'm telling you now.

Um...

I think we-- I think we'll go, sorry.

We wouldn't have come if, you know...

What kind of cancer?

Um, Hodgkin's. It's in my lymph nodes.

Mine's in my lungs.

It's a bitch, eh? I don't even smoke.

By the time they found it, it was just everywhere,

spine, pelvis.

Are you having chemo?

Yeah, slow it down.

Can't stop it.

You?

Yeah, I'll do it.

I've got kids.

Me too.

You want all the days.

How-- How long have you got?

A year.

It's yours if you want it.

I have to warn you,

there could be a significant cost to this if you lose.

What happens if we win?

A ruling in law...

that offering money in exchange for justice is unlawful

and must never happen again.

In your names, Osborne and Rockhouse.

Their names.

[fervent string music]

-Hey, Helen. -Hi. This is Anna Osborne

-and Sonya Rockhouse. -Yep, yep.

Okay.

[music ends]

We're here today for Milt and Ben and all the men.

No one has been held accountable for their deaths.

No one's even said sorry.

Um, that's just not good enough.

Okay. Come on. That's good.

-Uh, thank you very much. -Thank you.

Oh, here we go.

Usual culprits. Hello, Nigel. Leon.

[fervent music continues]

[Nigel] The families' interest is accountability.

It's a curious position maintaining innocence

but paying $3.41 million. to have the charges dismissed.

In essence, the appellants are putting forward a factual matter

relating to what we say is a matter of considerable

public importance.

Can you tell this guy to rack off?

-You're freaking 'em out, Tony. -Rack off.

Great! Well, I can't use that now, can I, Helen?

'Course you can. It's a documentary.

At least that's what they say it is. I think he's stalking me.

A documentary?

[low, eerie music]

[sighs quietly]

[fly buzzes]

-[sighs] -[muffled laughter]

[moaning, creaking]

[tap squeaks, water runs]

[water turns off]

[whispers] See you later.

[water runs]

[Anna] This is new.

Not really.

You just haven't really been here for it.

-Is he your boyfriend? -Yes, Mum.

Well, I hope you're being careful.

[quietly] Oh, my God.

[door slams]

[sighs]

[exhales firmly]

[birdsong]

[gentle, sombre music]

[on TV] The families of the 29 miners killed

in the Pike River explosion will learn this morning

if their bid to have the mine reopened has been successful.

The families have been fighting to have the main entrance

to the mine reopened since the explosions almost four years ago.

-Hi, mate. -Hi. Hi, darling.

Hi.

-You all right? -Oh, yeah.

Sorry things didn't go your way.

Oh, we're gonna go again.

-Court of Appeal? -Yeah.

Let us do the talking.

-What? Yeah. -We'll do the talking.

Okay.

Thank you for coming

and for your patience during what has been a lengthy process.

Certainly has.

We have considered your plan

and consulted independently to reach our decision,

which is that we are not prepared to re-enter the mine.

-Come on! -Seriously?

-The plan was approved. -By your people.

Our people had safety concerns.

-Over 600. -No...

John, you gave your word.

At the end of the day, it's not my call.

Oh, whose is it? Whose call is it?

This is my husband.

You said you'd bring him home.

The commitment was made, Prime Minister.

[indistinct murmuring]

We understand your disappointment.

-[indignant chatter] -We have a proposal.

The Department of Conservation is going to take over the mine.

The site will become a national park.

-We have a suggestion. -We will also establish

a Great Walk to the coast for walkers and bikers...

as a memorial to your men

and an economic asset to your community.

That's not a monument. That's an insult.

What if we can get a private company to do it?

Give us the mine. We'll do the rest.

Let me be clear.

Re-entry is off the table.

The mine will be permanently sealed. That's the reality.

We're offering an outcome

that will honour the miners.

No, no.

Milt...

wasn't a miner. He was a contractor.

He was building that shithole...

but he hated it. And if you think I'm gonna leave him there

to become part of some tourist trap...

It's a two-day walk. There's hut facilities.

Fuck your facilities.

Well, we didn't come here to be sworn at.

And I didn't come here to listen to this dribble.

You lot have played us like a fuckin' violin,

and I'll be fucked if I'm gonna sit here and listen to you

tell me that I should be happy that thousands of people

are gonna walk over my husband's grave.

I am not happy.

I will never accept it!

-Hear, hear. -Suits are stained in bullshit.

[applause]

Shame on you!

[flames whoosh, crackle]

Those cunts were 300 million in the hole for a death trap

that never gave one shipment of coal.

From the day it blew, all they had was a grave full of our dead

and a bunch of insurance policies...

worth 80 million.

Can't let a handful of fucked-up families get in the way of that.

That's what it comes down to.

-Who are we? -[Sonya] Yeah.

And who are they?

Cops.

Judges.

Fuckin' politicians.

Money men.

They all hold hands.

[TV plays indistinctly]

[sliding door clicks, opens]

[keys jangle]

Hey.

[keys clatter]

I don't know what to say.

Don't say anything, then.

You could always see it coming.

I couldn't.

Come on, Son.

The bullshit and the pay-offs, the hold-ups, all that--

Oh, fucking great! You worked it out.

What do you want, a medal?

No.

No, I just want the woman I used to know, that's all.

Well, she's dead.

I can't live with a dead person.

I do.

Every day.

[TV turns off]

That shit's not helping. You know that, don't you?

-You know that? -What, this shit?!

You think I don't know what this is fucking doing to me?

[plastic rustles]

[dog barks in distance]

[toothbrush scrapes]

[knocks] Hey, Mum.

Hi.

[sliding door opens, closes]

Look. They caved.

They took the track.

What was the alternative? I don't know.

Flamethrower?

I don't see you burning anything.

-They won't let us, Pete. -Mm.

If you really meant it, you wouldn't wait for permission, though, would you?

What's that mean?

It means put up or shut up.

-Is there someone else? -Are you kidding me?

I could ask the same question, couldn't I?

But there's at least two people in line before me.

Don't be here when I get back.

I want everything gone.

[soft, poignant piano music]

[soft piano music continues]

Is that too hard?

Feels good.

[soft piano music continues]

Put it away.

No.

No, this is what it looks like.

[soft piano music continues]

[soft piano music continues]

[music fades]

Thank you.

-To Helen. -Mm.

-To Helen. -To Helen.

[splutters]

Hey, who's that guy with the mo up there?

Oh, Spud Pizzato. He's got a contracting firm.

He lost two guys at Pike.

I just heard them say they've got a job up there next week.

-What job? -Dunno.

Clammed up when he saw me, but I heard the word 'Pike'.

-I'll get some chippies, eh? -Okay.

[indistinct hubbub]

[sighs]

Um...

It's a concrete pour.

They're sealing the mine.

No one is gonna go in there ever again.

-No. -Yeah.

You know what?

They were never going to, right from the start.

Yeah. 'Oh, don't worry. We're on it. We're right behind you.'

Yeah, right behind us, fucking us up the arse.

Yeah.

Oh, can you get that thing out of my face?

There has to be a record, Anna.

I don't want a record of abject fuckin' failure.

They're nailing a lid on the coffin.

Okay.

So what are you gonna do?

I'm... I'm gonna stop them.

How?

I'm going up there, and I'm not leaving.

Not this time. I'll...

-chain myself to the gates. -Anna.

If the trucks come, I'll lie down on the road.

They can run me over. They can arrest me.

They can fucking kill me!

[pensive music]

[fervent music builds slowly]

[drill whirrs]

Cross coming through.

-Bang her in. -Okay. Watch your eyes.

[dog whines]

Are youse guys ready for this?

[fervent music continues, builds]

[indistinct conversations]

[music slows, softens]

[soft music continues]

[music fades]

[bird calls]

-[Tony] Big day tomorrow. -[Anna] Yeah.

You guys feeling ready?

[Anna] For the concrete trucks? Fuckin' A.

Not just for the trucks, for the exposure.

What exposure? No one knows we're here.

That's gonna change.

What have you-- What? What have you done?

Well, I've pulled some strings, spoken to some friends,

and there's gonna be some media down here -

socials, radio,

some TV.

-So awesome. -Fuck you.

-What? -What's the point otherwise?

*If a tree falls in the forest, and no one's-

Fuck your mystic fucking bullshit, Tony.

-Well, what's the point in doing all of this otherwise? -No, fuck you! Fuck you!

[bird calls]

[sparse, pensive music]

Okay, quick rehearsal?

Yes. Okay.

It's not a show.

What do you think that is?

Okay? So it's a show. The cops know that we're down here.

John Key knows that we're here, okay? So...

Just tell 'em what you want.

Keep it simple, just three things.

Why three?

It just works.

all right. [clears throat]

Keep your promise. Bring our men home.

Prosecute the guilty. Show some balls.

-That's four things. -It's not a strict formula.

Sonya, come on.

-What she said. -Oh, for fuck's sake.

If you don't wanna be here, go home.

Come on.

[clears throat]

Six...

-years ago-- -Can you lose the paper?

-Yeah, but I need it. -No, we need your eyes, okay?

We need you to connect. Just look down the camera--

Mate, my fist is about to connect with your fuckin' face!

Hey.

-[vehicles approaching] -Oh, Jesus. fuck.

Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

Jesus!

[Anna over speaker] We're here for our men.

We were promised that they'd be brought home,

and we want that promise kept.

[ambient music thrums, builds]

[ambient music rises slowly]

[music fades]

My son wants me to say this...

because he can't speak any more.

He went to work, and he never came home,

and I'm still waiting for him.

Pike failed him.

The law failed him. The government failed him.

I can't fail my child.

I can't have him buried in concrete.

I want the truth

for my son.

And I want justice.

[cheering, applause]

[uplifting music]

Girls taking over, Bernie?

This is an occupation.

We're not going anywhere.

Do the right thing, John.

[cheering, applause]

[music crescendoes, ends]

The families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River

mining disaster are blocking the road into the mine

to protest the entrance being sealed off.

Six years on from the explosions,

Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne

sending a clear message to the Prime Minister.

I can't fail my child.

I want the truth

for my son.

And I want justice.

They claim the mine is an uninvestigated...

-This is going off. -Amazing, eh?

Not just TV.

Look at this.

The scene now set for an ugly standoff when workers return

to pour concrete for the final seal.

-Oh. -My gosh.

-[Anna chuckles] -[Sonya] Wow.

-Who did this? -Your media strategist.

Far out. We've got a media strategist.

I thought no one gave a shit.

My friend Rob. Do you wanna meet him?

Oh, shit, yeah.

[chat app whooshes, whizzes]

Here we go.

[Anna] Oh, look, he's a ginga. [laughter]

-I can hear you. -This is fuckin' amazing, Rob.

Well, it's a start.

[Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over" playing]

♪ There is freedom within ♪

♪ There is freedom without ♪

♪ Try to catch the deluge In a paper cup ♪

♪ There's a battle ahead ♪

♪ Many battles are lost ♪

♪ But you'll never see The end of the road ♪

♪ While you're travelling With me ♪

♪ Hey now, hey now ♪

♪ Don't dream it's over ♪

♪ Hey now, hey now ♪

♪ When the world comes in ♪

♪ They come, they come ♪

♪ To build a wall between us ♪

♪ We know they won't win ♪

[cell phone chimes]

[indistinct conversations]

[laughter]

Allied Concrete coming on Monday.

-What? -Yeah, I've just got a message.

[low, uneasy music]

[Sonya] Yeah.

-That's good. -Yeah?

[Anna] 30 cubic metres of concrete.

How many truckloads is that?

[Tony] It's quite a few.

Hello. Can I have a number, please?

Yeah. Allied Concrete.

This is, um, Anna Osborne from Stand With Pike,

and I'd like to...

ask him not to deliver the concrete on Monday.

Just don't... bring it.

That'll work.

[knock at door]

[knock at door]

Oh, hi.

Come in.

Hi.

Hey.

Tony.

We should go for a walk, yeah?

-[door closes] -Um, do you wanna sit?

Nah.

Um, do you...

want some food? Either of you...

-No. -...hungry?

What is it?

Can you not do this?

-Hon, I don't have a choice. -Yes, you do.

I came home last time. If I walk away again--

There's nothing up there, Mum.

-It's just bones. -It's more than that.

No, it's not.

But you can't let go of it.

But what is it really for?

Look.

If someone killed you...

I would never rest until they were brought to trial,

until they had to stand up and say, "I did that."

No one's done that for your dad.

If it was just his bones in those hills,

I would still want them.

But it's evidence, hon.

It's how he died.

And if we know that...

Well, we know who has to be accountable for it.

Never think that I don't love you.

-Yeah, but you love him more. -No.

No, not more.

No, you're my girl.

One day, maybe you'll know what that means.

You should show her.

Not everything's dead, Mum.

[birdsong]

[handle clicks]

Osborne, come on, hurry up.

-[Anna] Just whizz in a ditch. -It's not number ones.

[cell phone rings]

Yeah, who is this?

Hold on.

Hey, Anna, can you take a call from Allied Concrete?

[Anna] Don't fuck around.

Uh...

Sorry, she's a bit tied up right now. My name's Sonya Rockhouse.

Whatever you've got to say, you can say it to me.

Yep.

Okay, thanks.

God, there you go.

That was Allied Concrete.

-For real? -Yeah.

Um, he said they're a family-run business,

and they were discussing it over the weekend,

and, um...

they're not coming, ever.

-Ever? -Yeah.

No concrete. Not happening.

It's... Just then?

Yeah, not happening. No concrete.

Never.

[all laugh, cackle]

-Yes! -Oh, my God!

[laughter, whooping]

It worked! It fuckin' worked!

[cheering, applause]

-Yeah! -Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

[laughs]

Whoo!

Fuckin' did it!

-You're shorter than I thought. -He's only got two bottles!

Yeah.

-You drink champagne? -Yeah.

All right. Get that down ya.

-Yeah, look at that. -You did it.

-Wow. -Look at that.

"We pledge not to supply concrete to seal the mine.

We stand with Pike." Ohh.

Every concrete firm on the Coast.

Wow.

I've been doing this stuff for years. This just...

-doesn't happen. -So why is it happening now?

'Cause you're driving it, and people are with you.

The media is with you.

You're out in front, and you've gotta stay in front.

So...

What happens now?

Think, um... You know, think next level.

Today is one battle, but it's not the war.

What does winning the war look like?

Oh.

-Going back in. -That's not gonna happen.

-Says who? -Government.

So... next step, to win the war...

Change the government.

-[laughter, chatter] -Kath, Kath. turn it up?

[on TV] And more than anything else, in my time here,

I've tried to stay straight and true with New Zealanders.

For all of these reasons, I told my cabinet and caucus colleagues

today of my decision to step down as Prime Minister.

-[cheering] - I absolutely believe that we can

- win the next election. -Yeah, bugger off.

Good bloody riddance.

This has completely changed

the political landscape in New Zealand.

John Key so critical to National's success.

-This changes everything in... -This is it.

-...New Zealand politics, Tom. -Go now.

[gentle, pensive music]

[printer whirrs]

[chuckles]

[ringing tone]

Hello. Hi.

Yeah, it's Anna Osborne.

[gentle, pensive music continues]

[door opens]

[door closes]

-Not out blockading roads? -[chuckles quietly]

No.

We're going to Wellington with this.

[sighs]

[reads] "We, the undersigned, commit that a new government

we are part of will act immediately to safely re-enter,

fully recover, make safe...

and comprehensively investigate the Pike River Mine drift."

We're asking every opposition party to sign it.

On whose authority?

The families.

Twenty five have said yes.

Oh. Off you go, then.

You don't need my permission, do you?

Well, that's not what we're asking for.

What, then?

Come with us.

A united voice.

[softly] Go.

[engines whoosh]

After the latest polls showed Labour's support

ebbing to historic lows...

[bright, fervent music]

[bright, fervent music continues]

He's bailed. Quit the job.

Six weeks out from an election? Who does that?

They were tanking in the polls.

-So who's taken over? -Jacinda Ardern.

-What, that-- that young chick? -Yeah.

-Can we talk to her? -Well, she's a bit busy.

Yeah, well, call her. On the phone.

Tell her it's us.

All right.

[ringing tone]

I mean...

it's why we're here.

[fervent music continues]

Hi, how are you?

It's really nice to meet you.

It's lovely to meet you too. I'm Sonya.

Nice to meet you. Take a seat.

Oh, hi.

[indistinct conversation]

[music continues]

So, you've had a chance to have a look at this?

I got that email through, and of course we'll sign.

Of course we'll sign.

We got the commitment signed.

If Jacinda leads the next government,

she's gonna honour the pledge

and re-enter the Pike River Mine.

[cheering, applause]

They haven't got a hope in hell.

[on TV] Jacinda Ardern is making re-entry

of the Pike River Mine a priority, which may well help her

in the polls, with the election just weeks away.

[on TV] Pike widow Anna Osborne says the deal has been

nearly seven years in the making.

[knock at door, door opens]

-Oh, sorry. -Oh, you're all right, love.

Whoa! Are they more of those yummy choccies?

Oh, my God. It's you two.

-You're famous. -[both laugh]

I doubt it.

Yeah, you're on the TV.

I know. It's amazing, eh?

You are.

-Aw. -Aw.

[chocolates rustle]

Thanks.

That's so...

[laughs]

...weird, isn't it?

-Yeah! -Just people...

talking to us like they know us.

-Well, they do, kind of. -No, they don't.

Yeah, they do, cos we, like...

we really put ourselves out there, you know?

We spilled our guts.

Yeah, but that's not who we are.

I don't show who I really am.

I know who you really are.

You're like...

You're like...

the exact opposite of what you look like.

You know, like, you look all soft,

and people wanna take care of you, but...

they don't see that strength that's in you.

That amazing strength.

And I'm the complete other way around.

I look hard.

I'm like, "I don't take any shit," but I...

I don't have that thing inside me.

I don't...

I don't have that self-belief, that thing...

that you've got cos Milt loved you so much.

You know?

You know, I would have given up a long time ago if it hadn't been for you.

Oh, same.

You're the good thing.

You're the good thing.

We're the good thing.

-Eh? -Yeah.

Yeah.

[gentle, poignant piano music]

[kisses]

[music continues]

[cell phone rings]

Hi, sweetheart. Where are you?

No.

[gentle, poignant piano music continues]

[on TV] There's now less than an hour to go before polling

in the 2017 general election closes.

After one of the most exciting races in years,

unprecedented numbers voted early,

but special votes to be counted within two weeks

could be crucial.

Well, Mike McRoberts is at SkyCity...

[poignant music continues, builds slowly]

[poignant music continues]

My girl.

She's my girl.

[whispers] She's so tiny.

-I know. [gasps softly] -Oh, darling.

It's me.

Oh, darling, she's so beautiful.

Hi, little one.

[gentle, poignant music continues]

Hey, Son. Are you gonna come in? You gonna watch?

Mm-mm. No. I can't do it to my heart.

Come on. [kisses]

-Come on. -No.

-Come on! She's not coming in. -No.

Come on. Yes!

-Hurry up, Anna. -Hey.

-Hmm? -Come on.

-They're gonna call it. -No, no, no. It's fine.

Go in. Go in.

[sighs]

[music fades]

[birdsong]

[leaves rustle]

[leaves rustle, wind whooshes]

[delicate, serene music rises]

I'm listening.

Okay, I'm listening.

-Yeah! -Yeah. [laughs]

-Got it! -That's it.

She's in! [anna shrieks]

No! No!

No! Ah!

[laughs]

[Sonya laughs]

-[laughter] -We're in.

-Ohh. -Ohh!

[laughter]

[resolute string music builds]

[emotive string music continues]

[gentle, ethereal music]