Appeal tries to stop BNZ from building demolition

The Art Deco Society is taking legal action to try to stop the Bank of New Zealand demolishing the Jean Batten Building for a new corporate headquarters in Auckland.

On the eve of Heritage Week in Auckland City, the society has appealed to the High Court against an Environment Court ruling that the bank's demolition consent had not expired in December last year and was valid until 2007.

Society spokeswoman Dorothy McHattie said a successful appeal would allow the city council to give the building heritage status.