In the early hours of 4 September 2010 , a major earthquake caused extensive damage throughout the Canterbury region . The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora buildings were damaged – collapsing chimneys damaged the Great Hall , the Observatory Tower and the Clock Tower . The then Arts Centre director Ken Franklin commented that prior measures taken to reinforce the buildings may have prevented additional damage . The buildings had been insured for NZ$ 95 million , and this was increased to NZ$ 120m in January 2011
major earthquake
2010 Canterbury earthquake
Christchurch Arts Centre