The election result means a manned re-entry of the Pike River Mine will now go ahead, the families of some of those who died in the mine disaster say.
Protesters, including Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, are sitting in at the mine. Photo: Supplied
New Zealand First, which is likely to decide whether National or Labour will form a government, has previously committed to re-entry, as have Labour and the Greens.
A member of the group Stand with Pike, Sonya Rockhouse, whose son Ben died in the mine, said they had faith that the New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, would make the issue a priority.
"He's the one that months and months ago said that he will commit or that it will be his bottom line for any coalition, so regardless of who he decides to go with we're in a very good position."
Ms Rockhouse said the families had already waited seven years, and could wait a little longer for negotiations to conclude.