Some belongings from earthquake-damaged Wellington building returned to Mape family

The 85-ton excavator at work on the demolition of 61 Molesworth St in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Mape family who were found to be living in an office block in quake-stricken 61 Molesworth St in Wellington have had some of their belongings saved during the building's demolition.

Olive and Earnest Mape say property manager PrimeProperty Group were charging them $300 a week to live in a section of the office building, which was badly damaged in the November 14 earthquake.

The family were among a group of tenants who were living illegally in the building, despite it not being registered for residential tenancies.

The displaced tenants have not been allowed to go back into the condemned building to retrieve any of their belongings, but today the Mape family received a small amount back.

Wellington City Council building consents and compliance manager Mike Scott said the demolition contractors had been able to get a small amount of material out of the building during the course of the demolition.

"We ended up getting a very small amount of material, property out from that abode on the first floor," he said.

"The reality of it is that the contractors made their best efforts but due to the danger of the building, there was very little that could be moved."

The belongings were returned to the Mape family this morning, who were "obviously still unhappy and disappointed with the situation".

Council's welfare team continues to work with the Mapes and other people affected.

Meanwhile, the cordon around the site is expected to be reduced from 7am tomorrow.

The right-hand lane of Molesworth Street will be reopened for traffic and pedestrians will be able to use the footpath on the side of the street furthest from the demolition site.

The cordon has been in place since it was realised the multi-storey building was at risk of collapse.

There will be no parking on Molesworth Street between Aitken Street and Hawkestone Street.

Full access to and occupation of 100, 102 and 118 Molesworth St and the internal section of rear of the Wellington Cathedral will be allowed.

A smaller cordon around 61 Molesworth St and some of the surrounding properties will remain in place as the demolition continues. Shipping containers have been placed on the left hand side of Molesworth Street to provide additional segregation between the road and the demolition site and to allow for the easy movement of large trucks that are removing debris.

Further reductions of the cordons will take place as work progresses. Access to the Red Cross building and Collina Terrace properties adjacent to 61 Molesworth St will likely be allowed in coming cordon reductions, the first due before the end of the year after the tower comes down.