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.