Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission Te Komihana Rūwhenua o Waitaha Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission – Te Komihana Rūwhenua o Waitaha

Those who lost relatives and friends in the 22 February earthquake can be assured that there will be a very thorough inquiry into the failure of buildings that resulted in loss of life.
Chair, Justice Mark Cooper
 

Background information

  • Canterbury earthquakes building failure

    In the 22 February 2011 Canterbury earthquake most of the deaths were caused by injuries suffered wholly or partly because of the failure of buildings in the Christchurch city central business district. The Commission's Inquiry was about the failure of these buildings.

  • What is a Royal Commission?

    A Royal Commission is independent from the Government and reports to the Governor-General. The way the inquiry is conducted and the Commission is run is decided by the Chair and other Commissioners. The Government cannot interfere in the direction taken by the inquiry or influence its findings.

  • Department of Building & Housing technical investigation

    The Commission took into consideration the results of a separate technical investigation  conducted by the former Department of Building and Housing.

  • Useful links

    These websites contain useful information about the Canterbury earthquakes.