Supporters of a stray cat colony in Paihia have been granted extra time to find a new place to feed the animals.
Volunteers led by cat-lover Betty Chapman have been feeding 10 neutered strays on a council reserve for the past nine years.
But after pressure from conservation groups, the council has told them the feeding station must go, because it's illegal under the Reserves Act.
It originally gave them until Monday this week to remove the structure, but now says it will allow time for an alternative location to be found.
Mrs Chapman said it will not be easy to find a place in the same area which is hidden from public view like the existing one, and won't be vulnerable to vandalism.