The families of the Pike River coal workers who died in explosions at the mine last November say they are confident the Royal Commission will uncover the truth about the cause of the tragedy.
The Commission, headed by Justice Panckhurst, completed a preliminary session on Monday setting the ground rules for 15 weeks of hearings which will begin on 23 May.
Family members of the 29 men who died in the mine have met with the three Royal Commissioners.
The families' spokesperson, Bernie Monk, says the meeting gave them confidence the inquiry is in the right hands and everything that needs to be revealed about the tragedy, will emerge.
Some of the 30 lawyers representing various parties have expressed concern about the time allocated for parts of the hearings.
