Definitive Tour.
Since the 2014 Scenic Definitive Issue has already been covered in this blog, this post will be the last in our Scenic Definitive Series until a new issue appears. We are planning to link them or list them n some way so readers can navigate through them.
In 2012 three new denominations were added to the current Scenic Definitive Series to cover upcoming changes in postal rates. This stunning new stamp issue showcased three of New Zealand’s most picturesque locations – Cape Reinga, Stewart Island and Lake Matheson.
Also included in this issue were two of the gummed stamps appearing in an adhesive format as well. Earlier in February, another adhesive, $2.40 Lake Rotorua had already been issued, making the six stamps shown here.
$1.40 – Cape Reinga. $1.40 Adhesive.
The $1.40 stamp is available in both gummed and self-adhesive formats, and features the iconic lighthouse at Cape Reinga. Notice the sign post to the left of the lighthouse pointing out distances and direction to various parts of the world. This is a popular spot for tourists, as Cape Reinga is as far north as you can drive in New Zealand. It marks the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. When you stand at the lighthouse this meeting of the two oceans can be seen as an area of white turbulent water off the cape.
$2.10 – Stewart Island. $2.10 - Adhesive.
Lying across Foveaux Straight at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island, Stewart Island is a haven for nature lovers. It is abundant with beautiful bays such as Thule Bay at Paterson Inlet. This large expanse of water is popular for boat trips, fishing and diving, and is illustrated on the $2.10 stamp (available in both gummed and self-adhesive.
$3.50 – Lake Matheson
Lake Matheson sits near Fox Glacier on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The dark brown water of the lake creates the perfect reflective surface on a calm day, resulting in ‘picture perfect’ reflections of our highest peaks, Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman – as pictured on the $3.50 stamp.
2012 Extra Adhesive.
A change to international postage rates led to increased demand for a self-adhesive $2.40 stamp. The $2.40 rate was widely used on international letters and on extra-large letters domestically. Therefore, New Zealand Post re-issued the 2010 $2.40 Lake Rotorua in an adhesive format as the 2012 $2.40 Lake Rotorua (self-adhesive) Scenic Definitive stamp.
$2.40 – Lake Rotorua
At 79.8 square kilometres, Lake Rotorua is the second largest lake in the North Island. Close to its centre is Mokoia Island, a rhyolite dome that rises 180 metres above the lake’s surface. Privately owned by Maori and managed in association with the Department of Conservation, the island is a sanctuary for some of New Zealand’s rare bird species, including the kokako, the kiwi and a breeding population of the endangered saddleback.
This is the location of the famous lover-story of "Hinemoa and Tutanekai" in which one night Hinemoa bravely swims from the mainland village of Owhata,to the Island of Mokoia, to be with the man she loves. Look for this story in this blog soon.
Technical information - 2012 Scenic Definitives.
Date of Issue:
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23 May 2012
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Denominations:
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$1.40 (gummed and self-adhesive), $2.10 (gummed and self-adhesive) and $3.50
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Designer:
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Stamps Business, New Zealand Post, Wellington
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Printer:
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Southern Colour Print, New Zealand
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Stamp Size:
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30mm x 25mm (horizontal)
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Sheet Size:
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50 stamps
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Perforation Gauge:
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Gummed: 13.33 x 13.60 Self-adhesive: die cut
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Period of sale:
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Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until further notice.
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Technical information - Single Adhesive.
Date of issue:
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1 February 2012.
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Number of stamps:
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One self-adhesive stamp.
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Designed by:
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Stamps Business, New Zealand Post, Wellington
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Printers and process:
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Southern Colour Print Ltd by offset lithography.
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Number of colours:
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Four process colours (tagged with red phosphor)
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Stamp size, format:
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30mm x 25mm (horizontal)
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Paper type:
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Avery Dennison B100 Gloss-back non phosphor PSA (booklets), Avery Dennison B90 Kraft-back non phosphor PSA (single stamps/jumbo rolls).
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Perforation gauge:
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Die cut
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Period of sale:
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Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, this stamp will remain on sale until further notice.
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Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
You can visit their web site and On-line Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/