KEY POINTS:
America's Cup skipper Brad Butterworth's $1.3 million dream home project on Waiheke Island has run aground.
He has been served with an order to stop work immediately on the Oneroa site because of concerns about the safety of its excavations.
Neighbours have been worried about the size of site earthworks.
"There is a likelihood of serious harm to any person, and I hereby serve written notice on you to stop all production of work except the installation of site fencing, and the posting of danger signs," wrote Department of Labour health and safety inspector John Lasenby on Friday.
The notice also banned all workmen from the site, with the exception of geotechnical engineers making assessments.
As well, Butterworth must give contractors and the Department of Labour a written safety plan.
It cites "unsupported excavation faces" and the lack of written plans as reasons for the stopwork notice.
The America's Cup skipper bought the 954sq m beachfront section and its 1940s bach in August 2000 for $600,000.
The Auckland City Council has given him resource consent to build a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with study, pool and spa pool.
A department spokeswoman said the notice was served after a routine inspection, not because of a complaint.
Butterworth is understood to be in Switzerland.
