1957 Anniversaries.

        In 1957 New Zealand began the tradition of issuing stamps to celebrate Anniversaries. There had been some before this but only for cities and provinces. This changed in 1957 when NZ Post began issuing stamps celebrating the anniversaries of important events and organisations.

       The two issue below were actually released at separate times during the year but we have grouped them together for this post. First we have the 1957 Lamb Export 75th Anniversary and then we feature the 1957 Plunket Society 50th Anniversary.

1956 Southland Centennial

          With the town of Invercargill being surveyed and laid out in 1856 it was agreed that Southland's Centennial was to be celebrated in January 1956, although smaller settlements at Riverton, Bluff and on Stewart Island existed before that year.
          Three stamps were issued to commemorate the event, depicting whaling, and farming scenes plus the rare bird - the takahe.  A competition was held to select the stamp designs, with the end result being that the 2d design was completed by E R Leeming, the 3d by L C Mitchell and the 8d by M R Smith.

         In selecting the designs via a contest I believe the opportunity was lost to create a issue of similar designs. To me the 8d always stands out as being different to the other two values.

Whaling - 2d.

1950 Canterbury Centennial

        On 17 August 1840 French settlers landed at Akaroa and founded the first town.  A few years later farms at Purau, Riccarton, and Pigeon Bay were established and it was from here the establishment and extension of the province grew. The first settlers chosen by the Canterbury Association (formed in England) disembarked from the first four immigrant ships - 'Charlotte Jane', 'Sir John Seymour', 'Cressy' and 'Randolph', at Lyttelton in December 1850 and this date is recognised as that of the official founding of Canterbury.  John Robert Godley had been placed in charge of the first colonists.  These pioneers who chose to settle at Christchurch had to make a laborious trek over the hills separating Lyttelton and Christchurch by way of a rough track, which became known as the Bridle Path.
         This five value stamp issue by three well-known stamp designers sets out to remember those early times and the people who made Canterbury and Christchurch what they are today. 

Christchurch Cathedral - 1d.

1948 Otago Centennial

          In 1948, the settlement of the Otago Province and the founding of the city of Dunedin on 23 March 1848 were commemorated by four stamps depicting the arrival of the immigrant ships, the town of Cromwell, the First Dunedin Church and the University of Otago. The stamps are classic James Berry designs, being full of fine detail. The 1d is famous for its colour shifts of the blue centre, examples of which can been seen below.

2015 ANZAC Joint Issue.

         New Zealand Post partnered with Australia Post to mark 100 years since the Gallipoli campaign with a joint stamp and coin issue commemorates the relationship New Zealand and Australia share under the banner of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC).  100 hundred years later the two countries join together to remember the New Zealand and Australian men who fought together on the beach and on the hills at Gallipoli.

                       

80c - ANZAC Joint Issue.                            $2 - ANZAC Joint Issue. 

(New Zealand)                                               (New Zealand)

2007 Scenic Definitives

Definitive Tour.

2004-2006 Tourism Definitives.                                                  2009-2010 Scenic Definitives. 

     

        In 2007 New Zealand issued another set of Scenic Definitives. This time there were seven gummed stamps with two designs repeated as adhesive stamps for coils and booklets. These stamps are still current at the time this post was created (March 2015). 

        New Zealand is known as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and each year thousands of visitors make their journey here to enjoy our unique natural environment. As Kiwis, we’re lucky to have such a wonderful environment at our doorstep. This stamp issue is about recognising our unique scenery, protecting it and promoting it overseas. 

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5c - Whakarewarewa, Rotorua.