Work began on Friday on the demolition of two slip-affected Auckland units owned by former Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis.
The cliff-top units at Clovelly Rd in Buckland Beach, along with two neighbouring homes, have been uninhabited since they were evacuated last year because of severe land subsidence.
The decision to demolish the two units came after further movement in the ground over the past 10 days.
A Manukau City Council spokeswoman says the work was expected to take two to three weeks.
The fate of the two other uninhabited homes remained uncertain.
The council repeated its warning for people to keep clear of the area, including the stretch of beach below.
Sir Barry is battling his insurance company, which is refusing to pay out because, it said, landslips were not covered by his policy.
He planned to take his case to the High Court.
