Three parties charged with health and safety breaches at the Pike River coal mine have had their first court appearance deferred.
Pike River Coal and its former chief executive Peter Whittall and the Valley Longwall International Drilling company are facing 25 charges brought by the Department of Labour.
They were to appear in the Greymouth District Court on Tuesday but their first court appearance has been delayed under a registrar's remand until 31 January 2012.
The court says the parties requested more time to digest a Department of Labour investigation.
