Quake-delayed New Zealand census moved to 2013

 New Zealand's next national population census will be held in March 2013 two years later than the original schedule, which was disrupted by the devastating Christchurch earthquake.

"The 2011 Census could not have been successfully completed given the national state of emergency and the probable impact on census results," Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson said Friday in a statement announcing the new schedule.

Williamson said the government and Statistics New Zealand had considered holding the census in March 2012, but it was agreed the time period was too short to ensure the census could be planned accurately.

"Statistics New Zealand will now begin planning and work on the 2013 Census," Williamson said.

The exact date for the count of people and dwellings was expected to be announced later this year, after legislation required to hold a census in 2013 went to Parliament, said a statement from Statistics New Zealand.

This year's census was postponed due to damage to the Christchurch office where the census results would have been processed and the circumstances of people dealing with the aftermath of the quake, which killed 181 people, Radio New Zealand reported Friday.

New Zealand has a population of more than 4.4 million people, according to Statistics New Zealand.

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