NZ opposition slams Pike River report AN independent report into New Zealand's Pike River coal mine disaster has been attacked for finding a host of shortcomings, but not holding anyone accountable. An independent inquiry into the Department of Labour and Ministry for Economic Development's monitoring of the West Coast mine has found no staff members should be blamed for the 2010 explosions that killed 29 men, but that there were damning systemic failures. The report, by public servant David Shanks and lawyer Jane Meares, was released on Wednesday night after it was revealed to the victims' families in Greymouth. Family members were disappointed no one was being held accountable for the tragedy and both the New Zealand Greens and Labour on Thursday said the report was of little value. Greens West Coast-based MP Kevin Hague said the report was a waste of paper and came too late. "This report has all the hallmarks of putting together a report so as to be seen to be doing something," he said. The report's failure to identify anyone to hold responsible, at either the former Department of Labour or Ministry of Economic Development, is typical of its complete cultural failure to take responsibility for ensuring health and safety. Labour West Coast MP Damien O'Connor says it was not easy for families to be told that no individuals were at fault for the November 2010 disaster. The report's conclusion about the agencies' failures is scathing, following equally damning royal commission findings. The department's performance as a health and safety regulator was "dysfunctional and ineffectual" and the economic development ministry's assessment and monitoring of Pike's mining permit were discharged in a "light-handed and perfunctory way," it said.