Dave Dobbyn performed his song about the men who died in the Pike River mine disaster to 50 of their relatives last night.
The families say the song moved them and also strengthened their resolve to get their loved ones' bodies back.
"We are here this evening for one thing, and that is for the 29 miners of Pike River." – Dobbyn's opening remarks brought focus to last night's concert, a tribute to mining communities around the world, but especially Pike River and the men who died.
Dobbyn read the names of the men himself.
Combining with Orpheus Choir and Wellington Young Voices, Dobbyn's song, 'This Love' clearly brought emotions to the surface.
Dobbyn's devotion and hard work was praised by the more than 50 family members who made the trip from Greymouth.
"Absolutely amazing, absolutely amazing," says family member Jayne Verhoeven.
"It was really moving," says Alan Dixon. "I was in tears."
"Very emotional – Dave's done an extremely good job on this," says families' spokesman Bernie Monk.
It has been more than three years since the Pike River disaster, and the families' battle for justice continues.
"We haven't got our bodies back," says victim's brother Ian Dixon. "That's what the families want, to get our bodies back so we can have a proper burial."
"In the last words of the song, 'they're not to be left there', and I think that hits home, how we all feel," says Mr Monk.
Anna Osborne says the years have been hard without husband Milton, but Dobbyn's song has been a ray of sunshine.
"It does warm my heart, and there's been very few moments when it's affected me in this way; it's usually quite a negative way, so it's been a great evening," she says.
Their plea for the bodies will continue, but for now they are grateful for a song to sing.
3 News
source: newshub archive
