In this interview James tells in detail his family history before talking of his employment in various areas of Australia and his return to Rotorua and Auckland. When he moved to Christchurch, he became a long-distance truck driver until he had an accident and decided to return come to Southland where he worked in the coal mines for 23 years before being made redundant. Safety issues in the mines were a concern of his. After leaving the mines he was employed by Brightwood Sawmill in Otautau, where they processed timber to be exported to China. When the mill closed, he started the process of applying for employment at the Pike River Mine before staying on at the sawmill maintaining machinery. A few weeks later the Pike River Mine disaster happened.