An interesting question for me would be whether Terry could actually "start again". Even if he comes out with a little nest-egg that could be invested, do enough people hate him in Wellington now that he just wouldn't be able to ever make money again in this town? Now that would be a "selling the Nix" event.
Who says he has to start again in Wellington?
We have Christchurch in need of a major rebuild, and Terry at least has the experience behind him of completed building projects.
And we have the big island across the sea that is always building fancy big office buildings.
There is still work that could be done in Wellington, with new hotel, or buying up and earthquake strengthening some buildings, but smart money would find a bigger market.