2015 Health Stamps

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To view this issue in our Health Stamp Collection.
2015 Health Stamp Issue.

Children's Health - Being Sun Smart.

          With New Zealand's clear, unpolluted skies, our outdoor lifestyle, ozone depletion, and a latitude that puts us closer to the sun in summer, ‘Being SunSmart’ is an important part of the New Zealand way of life.

          The 2015 Children’s Health stamps embraced the SunSmart principles of Slip, Slop, Slap & Wrap. New Zealand has always had a love affair with the sun, but in the 1980s it became apparent that this had to change. Our national melanoma rates were doubling every ten years, so as a nation we had to learn how to be SunSmart. It’s important not only for adults to embrace being SunSmart, but to teach our children how to be SunSmart too.

          Each stamp highlights one of the four key SunSmart messages that have been a part of our lives for more than 30 years - Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap! New Zealand kids can still enjoy summer - as long as they stay SunSmart!

 
80c + 10c - Slip.

80c + 10c - Slip.
‘Slip’ is as simple as staying covered - slip on a long-sleeved shirt with a collar then slip into some shade, under either a big leafy tree or a sun umbrella. The girl on this stamp takes this seriously by slipping under the biggest sun umbrella she can find - let the fun in the sun begin!

                        

$1.40 + 10c - Slop.                                          $2.00 + 10c - Slap.

$1.40 + 10c - Slop. 

Protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays and ‘Slop’ on some sunscreen! You need to apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before heading outside for it to be an effective protective measure, and reapply at least once every two hours - even more often if you’re hitting the water or working up a sweat.

$2.00 + 10c - Slap.

Your face and neck are the most likely places to be sunburned, so ‘Slap’ on a hat to keep them safe! As the girl on the stamp shows, the bigger the better when it comes to hats - wide-brimmed hats or caps with flaps are best for protecting your face and neck.

80c + 10c - Wrap.

80c + 10c - Wrap.

It’s not just your skin that is affected by UV rays - your eyes need protecting too, so ‘Wrap’ on some sunnies! The best ones to go for are wrap-around sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

Covers & Miniature Sheet.

First Day Cover - Three gummed stamps & one adhesive stamp. 

The Miniature Sheet - Again with all four stamps. As one of our readers pointed out in the comments below, this miniature sheet had a special twist. Quote from NZ Post; - "The die-cut miniature sheet featured a large umbrella that’s white and yellow at first glance, but exposed to the UV rays of the sun, it turned purple and green!"

Below is the Miniature Sheet on a First Day Cover.



Collectable Stamp Blocks. 

 Set of three Plate Blocks.

Set of three Value Blocks.

Set of three Logo Blocks.



Technical information

Date of issue:	2 September 2015
Number of stamps:	Three gummed stamps and one self-adhesive stamp
Denominations:	Gummed: 80c + 10c , $1.40 + 10c and $2.00 + 10c. Self-adhesive: 80c + 10c
Designed by:	Donna Mckenna, Wellington, New Zealand
Printer and process:	Southern Colour Print Ltd by offset lithography. Miniature sheet contains photochromic ink
Number of colours:	Four process colours
Stamp size and format:	Gummed: 30mm x 40mm (vertical). Self-adhesive: 25mm x 30mm (vertical)
Paper type:	Gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper. Self-adhesive: Avery Dennison B90 kraft back PSA 210 gsm
Number of stamps per sheet:	Gummed: 25. Self-adhesive: 100
Perforation gauge:	14 and die cut
Special blocks:	Plate/Imprint blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks are available in A and B formats
Period of sale:	Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 1 September 2016. First day covers will remain on sale until 2 November 2015.