the building over several weeks. A cordon was established around the building to guarantee public safety. Christchurch City Council voted 10 to 2 at their 6 October 2010 meeting that the building was a safety hazard and should thus be demolished. The council's CEO was given powers to issue a demolition warrant, which avoided the usual resource consent process that could take up to 18 months. The demolition warrant could be granted under section 129 of the Building Act 2004, where "immediate danger to the safety of people is likely". Consequently, resource consent was not required for the demolition. Heritage enthusiasts and others protested against demolition, arguing that the masonry columns would have been reinforced with steel, and that the council should obtain its own engineering report, not rely on that commissioned by the building's owner. The owner presented evidence of further damage in aftershocks and pressed for urgent demolition, saying he had been advised that the building was showing signs of impending failure. The fate of Manchester Courts attracted significant media attention. TV One had the demolition decision as their anchor story for their 6 pm news. Demolition started on 19 October, and was nearing completion in January 2011. The building, significantly weakened by the removal of key structural supports by demolition engineers, withstood a number of large aftershocks without collapsing. During the demolition, an opponent of the demolition said he had photographs showing that the building did indeed contain substantial steel reinforcement. The building's owner said that less steel had been found than expected, and the mayor stood by the decision to demolish. References External links Proposed demolition of 160 Manchester Street at the Christchurch City Council Demolition cam Buildings and structures completed in 1906 Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic places in Canterbury, New Zealand Skyscrapers in Christchurch Christchurch Central City Buildings and structures demolished as a result of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake Buildings and structures demolished in 2011 Demolished buildings and structures in New Zealand 1900s architecture in New Zealand Skyscraper office buildings in New Zealand Chicago school architecture in New Zealand 1906 establishments in New Zealand