Christchurch police station comes down

The old Christchurch Police headquarters building in Central Christchurch was demolished using high explosives.

It took just eight seconds, 100kg of magnum explosive cartridges, 225 non-electric detonators and 2000 meters of detonating cord to bring down the former police station in Christchurch.

The 15 story Hereford St building, which is owned by Ngai Tahu Justice Holdings, was demolished by Ceres New Zealand because of damage it sustained after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

Watch a video of the event, courtesy of Broadcast Media NZ, here:

The implosion was dubbed a 100 per cent success by Ceres New Zealand manager Bernie Devere.

"Everything has gone 100 per cent according to plan. The building came forward and then slightly rolled as it was designed and then fell on its own footprint," he said.

"The back wall of the building, which was the closest to the city council building was designed to stay rigid so that it didn't allow stuff to fall back onto the council building."

The task over the next few weeks would now be to remove the rubble left after the explosion, Mr Devere said.

"All we have to do now is get in there without high reach gear and, over the next few weeks, have it all carted away."

Mr Devere said the success of the operation was cause for celebration.

"We will all be going out and celebrating tonight," he said.

- nzherald.co.nz