The head of the company that designed Christchurch's CTV building maintains his decision to resign from the Institution of Professional Engineers had nothing to do with wanting to see it end its investigation into him.
The head of the company that designed Christchurch's CTV building maintains his decision to resign from the Institution of Professional Engineers (IPENZ) had nothing to do with wanting to see it end its investigation into him.
Alan Reay resigned from the professional body in February and on Tuesday the institution said it had no choice but to cease its investigation into his role in the collapse of the building that claimed 115 lives.
The smoking ruins of the CTV building two days after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on 22 February 2011. Photo: AFP
Dr Reay has declined to be interviewed, but in a statement prior to his resignation he said he was fully committed to co-operating with IPENZ.
"I expected to see the processes through to a conclusion. Not a day goes by that I don't think about the loss of life in the Christchurch earthquakes and the impact on grieving families. I cannot undo the past. I have been and continue to be absolutely committed to ensuring that every possible lesson is learned from this tragedy".
CTV receptionist Mary Anne Jackson was the only person at the television station to survive the collapse, running from the building as it fell down around her.
Mary Anne Jackson. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
She said Dr Reay's resignation and the subsequent scrapping of the investigation meant her desire to have somebody held accountable for the tragedy remained unfulfilled.
Ms Jackson said 115 people died in the building and the lives of those left behind had changed forever.
She said in the meantime Dr Reay continued on as if nothing had happened.
Another former CTV worker who's helped many of the families of those who died, Peter Brown, said IPENZ lacks teeth.
Mr Brown said many professional bodies suspend members from working until their guilt or innocence had been established.
He said engineers are in charge of making sure buildings where hundreds of people work are safe and they shouldn't be allowed to continue working while a cloud hangs over them.
Former president of the Structural Engineering Society of New Zealand John Hare said IPENZ's hands are tied.
John Hare, who raised concerns about the CTV building before its collapse, said a current review of the building act should see the rules strengthened.
One change he'd like to see is a requirement for all structural engineers with final sign off of a building's design to be chartered professionals.
Auckland University law professor Bill Hodge said the only hope now of the relatives of those who died having their day in court is if the police decide to lay manslaughter charges.
But Professor Hodge said the threshold for getting to court is high and the police need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that an individual is responsible for the collapse.
The police have engaged the services of the engineering firm Beca to help them decide if a criminal investigation should be carried out.
The families of those killed are expecting an update from them in October.
