An Auckland woman employed as a Census collector is challenging more than 7000 fellow collectors to donate the unearned portion of their contracts to the Christchurch earthquake appeal.

The 2011 Census was cancelled yesterday after Statistics New Zealand decided it was not appropriate to go door-to-door asking New Zealanders for information while they were dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake.

Government Statistician Geoff Bascand said that all collectors would be paid for the work they would have done through to 27 March.

Kerry Mitchell, one of more than 7000 collectors employed to deliver and collect papers completed after Tuesday 8 March, says because she only completed about 40 per cent of the contract she will be donating the remainder of her earnings to the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal and challenges other collectors to do the same.

"It is commendable that Statistics New Zealand has decided to honour its contractual obligations, but it doesn't sit well with me to accept payment for a job I didn't complete as a result of a natural disaster that has devastated so many lives. I delivered about 40 per cent of my papers before deliveries were suspended on Monday so I'm going to donate the remaining 60 per cent of my payment to the earthquake appeal, which will be about $600. I challenge all other collectors to do the same, or at least make a sizable donation.

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