Easter bun bake-off cancelled due to quake

New Zealand's annual Champion Easter Bun Bake off has been cancelled as a mark of respect to Christchurch quake victims.

Organiser Goodman Fielder, an Australasian food company, had planned to hold a South Island judging session in Christchurch on March 30.

"As a mark of respect to so many of our South Island competitors, whose lives and businesses are now so tragically in a state of disarray and can no longer compete in the bake off, we have decided to cancel this year's event," spokesman Paul Howley said.

The company would donate the prize money towards the rebuilding of Christchurch, he said.

- NZPA