Protesters trying to save three art deco houses in the Auckland waterfront suburb of St Heliers have had another small victory.

News of a court order to halt the demolition of three art deco cottages turned protesters' anger to joy yesterday.

Protesters are steeling themselves for a legal battle with developers after being granted a stay of demolition on three historic St Heliers cottages.

Three houses which heritage advocates are trying to save will be demolished within days. About 15 protesters remain on the street.

Protesters have vowed to lie in front of the bulldozers to save historic cottages set for demolition today.

Three much-loved art deco houses scheduled to be demolished are in good condition, contrary to the Auckland Council's assertion that they are in disrepair and should be knocked down, a surveyor says.

Three art-deco homes in St Heliers at the centre of a furore over Auckland's heritage preservation are unlikely to be relocated, Auckland Council chief executive says.

There were heated scenes at an Auckland Council meeting this morning as protesters tried to stop a heritage demolition.

With sampling and cheese appreciation evenings, this is a great stop during a city lunchtime.

Aucklanders are not only getting their daily bread, they're prepared to pay plenty for it. Julie Harries finds out more.

The body of a woman found in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour on Sunday has been identified as a patient who disappeared from Auckland Hospital.

I have rather a soft spot for St Heliers, even though I hardly ever go there.