The owner of the Westende building , on the corner of Manchester and Worcester Street and some away from Radio Network House , threatened to seek a court injunction against the implosion . He raised concerns about potential seismic activity , possible damage to his new building , and noxious contaminants transferred by dust . The original Westende building had been destroyed in the first earthquake in 2010 and was one of the very few new buildings in the centre of Christchurch to have been rebuilt already . The concerns were dismissed by the demolition contractors and the threatened court action did not eventuate . Soon after the announcement was made that the implosion had been approved , it was reported that the demolition contractors considered putting the right to push the button for the implosion up for auction , with the proceeds going to charity . " I 've seen them go for $ 6,000 " is how one of the company representatives was quoted , but the issue of liability needed to be worked through . The auction was set up on the internet auction website Trade Me and went live on Tuesday , 24 July , at 11 am . It was set up with a $ 1 reserve ( meaning that theoretically , the right to push the button could have been sold for just $ 1 ) . The auction was hugely popular and within one hour , bidding had reached $ 6,000 . Bidding reached $ 30,000 , but some bids were considered illegitimate and Trade Me staff removed them , and in other cases , bidders themselves requested to be removed
first earthquake in 2010
2010 Canterbury earthquake
Implosion of Radio Network House