The New Zealand Historic Places Trust has called for an "immediate pause" to the deconstruction of the ChristChurch Cathedral, saying more of the building can be preserved than the Anglican Church claims.
It comes after work demolishing the iconic building's badly damaged spire began this week, with a crane tentatively dismantling the masonry structure.
Representatives from the Anglican Church and the Historic Places Trust have been monitoring the work, which is expected to take a week.
NZHPT board chairperson Shonagh Kenderdine has called for the work to stop, and for the cathedral to be supported and fenced off for public safety.
"The board recognises and respects the difficult decision made by the church," she said.