The Auckland City Council has voted to protect Waiheke Island's Rocky Bay Store through listing the building as part of the island's heritage.
The landmark store - built in the 1920s, linked to the family of artist C.F. Goldie and well known to generations of sailors - has been the subject
of a battle by residents after they stopped its demolition last year with a barricade when contractors arrived to pull it down.
Waiheke resident and Auckland Regional Council member Mike Lee said yesterday that things were pretty grim at the time, but since then the community had won an interim enforcement order preventing demolition.
The Auckland City decision was a second layer of protection, although it could be appealed against, Mr Lee said.
"Hopefully we can mediate a solution whereby the owners accept Auckland City's decision and then we can move on from there about how the store can be reopened."
Of 35 submissions received by the council, 31 supported its protection on historic grounds.
