This paper describes observations of damage to reinforced concrete buildings from the September 2010 Darfield (Canterbury) earthquakes. Data was collated from first-hand earthquake reconnaissance observations by the authors, post-earthquake surveys, and communications and meetings with structural engineers in Christchurch. The paper discusses the general performance of several reinforced concrete building classes: pre-1976 low-rise, pre-1976 medium rise, modern low- and mid-rise, modern high-rise, industrial tilt-up buildings, advanced seismic systems and ground-failure induced damaged and retrofitted RC buildings. Preliminary lessons are highlighted and discussed. In general, reinforced concrete buildings behaved well and as expected, given the intensity of this event.