[11] The building collapsed in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, with only the north shear wall that included the lift shaft left still standing.

Most of the deaths were caused by the collapse, but it is assumed that some of the victims suffered fatal burns, and some may have even drowned during the efforts of putting the fire out.

This second inquest, continuing until December 2012, paid particular attention to six CTV building victims who were alive for some time but could not be rescued.

[23] Eight victims were identified as making cell phone contact following the building collapse, apparently all affiliated with the King's Education program located on Level 4.

[25][26][27][28] CTV receptionist Maryanne Jackson was the only person to survive from the ground floor; she did so by running out of the building as the quake struck.

[29] It was announced in July 2013 that the Crown had bought the land for the Eastern Frame, a new park proposed on the east side of the central city.

[30] The Royal Commission of Inquiry heard evidence into why the CTV Building collapsed during the 2011 earthquake from 25 June 2012, and was scheduled to run for eight weeks.

Consulting firm head Alan Reay stated that the building did not meet his own standards, and he thought the engineer he employed for the design, David Harding, had adequate experience.

He said he relied on Reay for guidance, and that the developers wanted a minimum-cost design to (just) meet the code; no extra reinforcing was to be added or you "got your hand smacked".

[33] Witness Arthur O’Leary, a structural engineer, said that a "critical eye" should have been cast over the building design.

Panel member Barry Davidson also disagreed with an "opportunistic and legalistic" interpretation of the code that found they were compliant.

Gerald Shirtcliff had stolen the identity of a retired engineer based in the UK, William Fisher.

[40] In late September 2024, the Engineering New Zealand Disciplinary Committee upheld a complaint against Reay for inadequately supervising the construction of the CTV Building.