Heritage activists in Christchurch rallied in the city on Friday afternoon seeking an end to what they describe as the heartless demolition of heritage buildings in the city.
The 16 heritage groups at the rally sent an open letter, in the form of a 15kg stone tablet, and a 5000-signature petition to Prime Minister John Key.
Historic Places Aotearoa president Anna Crighton says the heritage community is demanding the demolition of heritage buildings be stopped within two weeks.
Mrs Crighton says they also want the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) to publish the long-awaited Heritage Recovery Programme within the next month.
"This ripping through the central city and just taking out heritage buildings for some plan that we have no say on is anti-democratic and it's just sucking the life and soul out of our city."
She says CERA is using its powers to demolish important heritage buildings without proper consultation.
More than 200 heritage listed buildings have been demolished since September 2010.
