Demolition work of earthquake-damaged 61 Molesworth St building in Wellington to begin today

Demolition work on the quake-damaged building at 61 Molesworth St in Wellington central is due to start today, hopefully after lunchtime.

Wellington City Council spokesman Clayton Anderson said the paperwork was the only thing holding back the start of the demolition work, but it was hoped things would begin after lunch.

The main part of the demolition is not due to start today, as an attached two- or three-storey building must be destroyed first to make room for the machinery needed for the rest of the work.

The jaw-like machine that will be used to crunch down the main building from the top could not fit in when the smaller building was there.

Anderson said if all goes to plan, the main demolition would begin in the weekend.

"If things crack on at a good pace we're looking at Saturday morning," he said.