1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part Three.

 Definitive Tour.

         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part One.
                    An overview of this definitive issue with First Day Covers.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Two.
                    Various extra issues that appeared over the next two years.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Three.
                    The information on the designs/subjects of each stamp in more detail.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors in the lower values.
         1967 - 1968  Decimal Pictorials - Part Five.
                    Flaws and errors in the higher values.


1960 - 1967 Designs in Detail.
This third part will show each of the stamps again but now arranged by their value rather than as in Parts One & Two by their issue date. Our purpose here is to consider the design and subject of each stamp. (Since most of these designs are common with the 1960 Pictorials my design notes are the same as well).

1967 Decimal Pictorials.

                
½c - Manuka.                                         1c - Karaka.

½c - Manuka.
Manuka 'Leptospermum scoparium' also commonly called the tea tree, is a bushy shrub found in most parts of the country.  The flowers are mostly white, less commonly red, appear in profusion and often almost hide the small reddish-green leaves.  The woody fruit have five narrow slits through which the seeds escape. The tree got its European name from a bitter tea that could be made by boiling the leaves.

1c - Karaka.
The karaka 'Corynocarpus laevigatus' is a tall tree of the coastal forest and also occurs in picturesque isolated groves casting a welcome shade on rocky foreshores.  The dark green glossy leaves reach a length of over 15cm. Inconspicuous greenish flowers give rise to full clusters of richly coloured berries that ripen in strong summer sun.

                                              
2c - Kaka Beak.                                                                     2½c - Kowhai.

2c - Kowhai-ngutu-kaka / Kaka Beak.
The name kowhai-ngutu-kaka shows that the Maori recognised the close relationship between this plant and the yellow kowhai, at the same time likening its flowers to the beak of a native parrot, the kaka.  A soft woody shrub rarely exceeding 1.8 metres, the kaka beak 'Clianthus puniceus', as it is commonly known, has curved and pointed red flowers about 10 cm long. The species is endangered in the wild, with only 153 trees found in a 2005 survey. Although widely grown as a garden plant, the cultivated lines are descended from only a few plants and are not genetically diverse.

2½c - Kowhai.
Generally regarded as New Zealand's national flower, the yellow kowhai 'Sophora microphylla' is easily grown and is widespread both in its native state and as an ornamental tree in gardens. We have a kowhai tree planted by my father years ago which has now grown into a large shady tree. I love the display of yellow flowers each year and the tuis, bellbirds and Kererū (New Zealand Wood Pigeon) attracted.


                       
    3c - Puarangi / Hibiscus.                                   4c - Mountain Daisy.     

3c - Puarangi / Hibiscus.
'Hibiscus trionum', the botanical name of the plant known to the Maori as puarangi, is the smaller of the two New Zealand hibiscus.  It belongs to the northern frost-free part of the country and can now be seen only in remote places and on some off-shore islands.

4c - Matua Tikumu / Mountain Daisy.
Commonly known as the Mountain Daisy, there are many varieties found in the mountain distrcts of both North and South Islands.  The leaves are covered with a velvety coating of fine hairs and the flower rays are white and daisy-like, being up to 100mm in diameter. Often these plants spend their winter deep under the snow only growing to bloom during the short period of the hottest summer months.

                           
5c - Pikiarero / Clematis.                        6c - Koromiko.

5c - Pikiarero / Clematis.
In most lowland forest areas of New Zealand spring is heralded by the flowering of the climber now called 'Clematis paniculata' but formerly known as 'Clematis indivisa'.  The white blooms, more than 50mm across are borne in masses when the vines reach the full light of the tree tops or the forest edge. At our old house we had one in the trees down along the creek but more recently it seems to have disappeared. Mum used to love seeing that burst of white flowers each year.

6c - Koromiko.
Koromiko or 'Hebe salicifolia' is a native shrub of which there are seven main species. This is native shrub which was used by Māori for medicinal purposes. It is large, evergreen shrub, reaching 2 m in height, with light green, spear-shaped leaves that are up to 12 cm long. Flowers are white or pale lilac. through to reds and crimson. Hebes have become a popular garden plant for shelter and landscaping.

7c - Rata.
Rata 'Metrosideros robusta' (northern variety) or 'Metrosideros umbellata'  (southern variety) , like Manuka, belongs to the myrtle family.  The vines affix themselves to tree trunks and rocks by short roots from the stems.  The flowers are conspicuous because of the bunched stamens, which in this species are 25mm long, reddish-orange and tipped with yellow pollen when freshly opened.  Flowering amongst the tree tops or in roundish clumps in partly-cleared country, the rata provides a splash of colour in winter.

                                   
   8c - New Zealand Flag.                                                10c - Timber Industry - Log.

8c - New Zealand Flag.
The 8c stamp features the New Zealand Flag in true colours and was designed by the Post Office Publicity Department. This stamp was replaced in 1969 by the Fruit Industry stamp from the 1968 New Values And Exports.
New Zealand's national flag, a Blue Ensign bearing the four-star Southern Cross constellation was not adopted for general use until the gazetting of the Royal assent to the New Zealand Ensign Act on 12 June 1902. The 'Union Jack' in the top left corner represents New Zealand's links to Great Britain and the stars of the Southern Cross are seen throughout New Zealand all year round.
10c - Timber Industry - Log.
The 10 cent stamp shows a Kauri log being milled. The Kauri tree is very slow growing and was greatly prized for it's straight grain. Unfortunately, there are very few left standing now. Recent governments have focused on the preservation of native forests. This stamp was replaced in 1968 by the new export design in the 1968 New Values And Exports issue.


                            
15c - Tiki on Orange Background.                     20c - Taniwha Rock Drawing.


15c - Tiki on Orange Background.
The 15 cent stamp features a pounamu (greenstone) Hei-tiki which is worn around the neck. They are often incorrectly referred to as tiki, a term that actually refers to large human figures carved in wood, and, also, the small wooden carvings used to mark sacred places. New Zealand greenstone consists of either nephrite (a type of jade, in Māori: pounamu) or bowenite (Māori: tangiwai). Pounamu is esteemed highly by Māori for its beauty, toughness and great hardness. This stamp was coloured green and the design modified in the 1968 New Values And Exports issue.
20c - Taniwha Rock Drawing.
The 20 cent stamp features a drawing of a Taniwha from a limestone cave shelter overlooking the Opihi River in South Canterbury. In Māori mythology, taniwha are beings that live in deep pools in rivers, dark caves, or in the sea, especially in places with dangerous currents or deceptive breakers. The taniwha has analogues that also appear in other Polynesian cosmologies. This stamp was replaced in 1969 by the Meat Industry stamp from the 1968 New Values And Exports.


 
                25c - Dairy Industry - Butter.                      Tongariro National Park / Chateau Hotel.

25c - Dairy Industry - Butter.
The 25 cent stamp features commercial butter production. At the time of issue of this stamp New Zealand manufactured around 220,000 tons of butter a year of which more than three-quarters of this quantity was exported, hence the importance then as now of dairy products to the country's economy. This stamp was replaced with a more modern design in the 1968 New Values And Exports.

Tongariro National Park / Chateau Hotel.
The 30 cent stamp features Tongariro National Park and the Chateau. Tongariro National Park, located in the central North Island, is the oldest national park in New Zealand and was the fourth National Park established in the world. The active volcanic mountains Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro are located in the centre of the park. There are a number of Māori religious sites within the park, such as the grave of Te Heuheu Herekeikei and the summits of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu are tapu (sacred). The Chateau (now called Bayview Chateau Tongariro) was completed in 1929 and despite extensive refurbishment still retains much of the style of the pre-Depression era.

                                            
50c - Sutherland Falls.                                                  $1 - Tasman Glacier.

50c - Sutherland Falls.  
The 50 cent stamp features the Sutherland Falls. Located in Fiordland National Park near Milford Sound , the Sutherland Falls drop 580 meters from Lake Quill in three jumps: 248 metres, 229 metres and 103 metres.
$1 - Tasman Glacier.
The Tasman Glacier is the largest of several glaciers which flow south and east towards the Mackenzie Basin from the Southern Alps in New Zealand's South Island. It is New Zealand's longest glacier. Tasman Glacier, which is not only the largest glacier in New Zealand but also one of the largest in the temperate zone, is in the South Island's Mount Cook National Park.
The glacier has retreated about 180 metres (590 ft) a year on average since the 1990s and the glacier is now in a period of faster retreat where the rate of retreat is calculated to be between 477 to 822 metres (1,565 to 2,697 ft) each year. It is estimated that the Tasman Glacier will eventually disappear and the terminal Tasman Lake will reach a maximum size in 10 to 19 years time.

$2 - Pohutu Geyser - Pink.
 The $2 stamp features the Pohutu Geyser. Whakarewarewa (a geothermal area within Rotorua city) has around 500 pools and 65 geyser vents. Seven geysers are currently active. The most famous, Pohutu Geyser, meaning big splash or explosion, can erupt up to 30 meters usually every hour. A full colour version of this stamp was issued in 1968 as part of the 1968 New Values And Exports.

Plate Blocks for the $2 - Pohutu Geyser - Pink above,
and the $2 - Pohutu Geyser - Multi-Colour below. (The 'Multi' is found further down this page)


1968 New Values And Exports.
New Values & Colour changes.

                    
     7½ - Fishing - Trout.                    15c - Tiki on Green Background.

7½ - Fishing - Trout.
The Brown Trout thrives in New Zealand's inland rivers and streams, and provides sport for fishermen from all over the world. This issue commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the introduction of the brown trout into New Zealand.
15c - Tiki on Green Background.
These was mainly a background change from orange/brown to green.
There were also some modifications done to the design.


                         
           28c - Fox Glacier.                                    $2 - Pohutu Geyser - Multi-Colour.

28c - Fox Glacier. 
Fox Glacier is one of New Zealand's most magnificent scenic attractions, a "river of ice" found in Westland National Park, in the South Island. 
Pohutu Geyser - Multi-Colour.
This stamp had originally been issued in pink. It was then re-issued in more natural colours and became known as the $2 - Pohutu Geyser - Colour or the $2 - Pohutu Geyser - Multi-Colour


Export Industries.
These stamps were issued as a series designed to draw attention to some of New Zealand's main exports. Industries included Fishing, Fruit, Timber, Wool, Meat and Dairy.

 
7c - Fishing Industry.                                             8c - Fruit Industry.

7c - Fishing Industry.
This design depicts, in the left panel, a fishing trawler and in the right a mass of fish on the vessel's deck.  The fishing industry had its origins early in New Zealand history with the whaling industry.  In 1844 whale oil and other products fetched £50,000 on the London markets. Following European settlement and the population increase, the fishing industry first provided for only local consumption but later developed into the significant export industry it is today.  Trawling is one of the principal methods used.  Fitted with freezers, trawlers usually make weekly trips at a time.

8c - Fruit Industry.
This design depicts, in the left panel, a close-up of "Rome Beauty" apples and a view of part of an orchid in flower in the right.  Apples and pears were first introduced to New Zealand by Rev. Samuel Marsden in 1819.  In 1899 the first trial shipment was carried to the United Kingdom in cool storage by the S.S. Papanui. Further shipments followed and by 1910 were providing encouraging returns.  Today the fruit industry is firmly established.

 
10c - Timber Industry.                                       18c - Wool Industry.

10c - Timber Industry.
A stand of radiata pine is depicted on the left panel and a stack of milled timber on the right.  Timber was, in fact, a commodity for overseas trade up until the 1870s, being New Zealand's major export in the 1850s.  However, it was not until the State Forest Service was established in 1920 that forestry gradually re-emerged as a major export industry.

18c - Wool Industry.
The left panel of the stamp depicts sheep grazing in a paddock and in the right the Woolmark symbol is illustrated.  The real foundation of the pastoral industry was the importation in 1834 of 105 Merinos from Australia by John Bell Wright who landed them on Mana Island near Wellington.  He sent a few bags of wool to Sydney for sale the following year.  Until refrigeration in 1882, wool was one of New Zealand's few valuable exports.  Today, sheep farms take up nearly half of the country's land area.

 
20c - Meat Industry.                                         25c - Dairy Industry.

20c - Meat Industry.
Meat carcasses being loaded onto a vessel are depicted in the left panel with Hereford cattle grazing on the right.  The meat industry and its associated products are amongst New Zealand's biggest export earners.

25c - Dairy Industry.
In the left panel a typical Taranaki dairy farm is illustrated with Mt Egmont / Taranaki in the background, in the right panel cartons of butter and cheese are being loaded onto an overseas bound vessel.


Back to Part Two.                  Forward to Part Four.


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/