2016 Christchurch Stamp and Postcard Exhibition

The Christchurch 2016 Stamp and Postcard Exhibition was held from 18 to 20 November at the Addington Event Centre. This national exhibition featured a full range of philatelic exhibits plus postcards and other collectables - nearly 5,000 pages of material in total. The theme of the exhibition was the centenary of the founding of the Canterbury Aviation Company by Sir Henry Wigram.

In keeping with aviation theme of the exhibition, NZ Post issued two very special exhibition products - an exhibition miniature sheet and a souvenir first day cover. The miniature sheet depicts the arrival of the Fokker Trimotor VH-USU (known as the Southern Cross) at Wigram Aerodrome on 11 September 1928, after the first successful flight between Australia and New Zealand. It incorporates a replica of the 1958 stamp that was issued to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first trans-Tasman flight. The first day cover features a scenic photo of the Avon River.


The First Day Cover.


The Miniature Sheet.
The miniature sheet also contains a 'SPECIMEN' reproduction of the 1958 First Trans-Tasman Flight 30th Anniversary - Kingsford Smith stamp.
The stamps show are both from the 2010 Scenic Definitives. $2.90 Whale watching at Kaikoura & $3.40 River Avon in Christchurch.


Technical information

Date of issue:
18 November 2016
Miniature sheet:
One exhibition miniature sheet with two gummed stamps
Miniature sheet and souvenir cover designed by:
Stamps and Collectables Business, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand
Printer and process:
Southern Colour Print by offset lithography
Number of colours:
Four process colours
Paper type:
Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor Gummed Stamp Paper
Period of Sale
Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, the miniature sheet will remain on sale until 17 November 2017. The souvenir cover will remain on sale until 17 January 2017.