End of an era: Demolition work starts on Cathedral Square police kiosk

The small kiosk that maintained a police presence in Christchurch's Cathedral Square for decades is going to the wrecking ball.

The demolition of the well-known landmark started on Monday - five years since the police last used the 1970s building.

Christchurch City Council decided it will eventually use the site to relocate the Citizens' War Memorial in the square.

Council urban design head Carolyn Ingles said police decided not to renew the kiosk's lease when the central police station was opened.

"The building actually started out in the 1970s as the Christchurch Transport Board Bus Kiosk.

"But in 1989, when the transport board wound up due to local government amalgamation, it was occupied by police and community volunteers and became the police kiosk."