Manukau City Council has begun work to demolish two units threatened by slips at Bucklands Beach.
An extension at 116 Clovelly Road separated from the main building and the driveway is cracked.
The land movements were noticed in July, after a night of heavy wind and rain.
Emergency powers were cited under the Building Act to stop the building slipping further down the cliff.
The council says one unit has been removed down to its floor slab and work is going according to plan.
Last year, slips forced a number of evacuations in the area and led to homes being condemned.
