1999 Native Tree Flowers

There are more than 250,000 species of flowering plants in the world. New Zealand has just a tiny fraction of that number - a little over 2,200 – 600 of which grow in our native forests. Once considered dull and lacking in colour, our flowering trees are now enjoying a strong upsurge in interest. More and more New Zealanders are coming to realise that we are indeed blessed with some of the most outstanding native tree flowers in the world.

The Six Stamps.

40c - Kotukutuku (Fuchsia Excorticata).

Kōtukutuku (Fuchsia excorticata) is the largest fuchsia in the world. It stands up to 14 metres high; it is common throughout New Zealand from sea level up to 1,060 metres. The flowers are 20-30mm long and hang downwards. They are green with purple streaks, when pollinated, and turn red with age.

80c - Poroporo (Solanum Laciniatum).

Poroporo (Solanum laciniatum) is a shining, soft-wooded, openly branched tree with purplish stems and leaf veins that grow to around 3 metres high. It is fairly common in scrub and lowland forest margins from near Auckland throughout the country to near Dunedin. The flowers are dark blue-purple and appear from September to April.

$1.00 - Kowhai (Sophora Tetraptera).

The flower of the kōwhai (Sophora tetraptera) is yellow to golden yellow, about 5cm long and is filled with nectar, a favourite food of many native birds. The kōwhai was originally found growing wild alongside streams and lowland forest margins from East Cape to the Ruahine Mountains. It is now one of New Zealand’s most common native trees.

$1.20 - Weeping Broom (Carmichaelia Stevensonii).

The weeping broom (Carmichaelia stevensonii) is a distinctive, leafless tree that is only found naturally in parts of eastern Marlborough. It differs from other brooms in that its delicate, pale lavender to lilac flowers are clustered together in large bunches. These flowers are produced in great profusion on older trees, normally every second year, from November to January.

$1.50 - Teteaweka (Olearia Angustifolia).

The tētēaweka (Olearia angustifolia) or tree daisy is part of the largest family of flowering plants in the world. It grows up to 6 metres high along coastal areas of Southland and Foveaux Strait and on the coastal headlands of Stewart Island. The tree’s most notable feature is a solitary large and scented flower head up to 5cm across.

$1.80 - Southern Rata (Metrosideros Umbellata).
The southern rātā’s (Metrosideros umbellata) profusion of brilliant crimson and blood-red flowers make it one of New Zealand’s most brilliant flowering trees. It is principally a South Island tree, seen at its best in Fiordland and in the Chaslands district of Otago, though it is found in parts of the North Island.

First Day Cover - 13 January 1999.


1999 China Exhibition.
 The China ’99 exhibition was held at the China International Exhibition Centre in Beijing from 21 to 30 August.

Native Tree Flowers Exhibition Miniature Sheet with one 40 cents and one 80 cents stamp.

Native Tree Flowers Miniature Sheet First Day Cover - 21 August 1999.

Whakapex '99.

While not being apart of the issue above, the printed stamp on this card has a very similar appearance.

Local exhibition held in Whakatane in September 1999.
The text says:- Karo, Pittosporum crassifolium, is a shrub or small tree up to 9m high with dark red scented flowers. It is found naturally along coastal forest margins and streamsides in the northern half of the North Island and had been extensively planted in other coastal areas of New Zealand. Karo is popularly cultivated as a hedge and shelter plant.

Notice the figure on the postal cancellation is The Statue of Wairaka, found on the rocks at the mouth of the Whakatane River.
See our post on this statue - 1998 The Statue of Wairaka.



Technical Information.
Date of issue: 13 January 1999.
Designer: Sue Wickison, Wellington, New Zealand; 
Miniature Sheet Designer: Stamps Business, New Zealand Post.
Printer: Southern Colour Print, New Zealand.
Stamp size: 25mm x 50mm.
Miniature sheet size: 112mm x 90mm.
Sheet size: 100 stamps per sheet.
Process: Lithography.
Perforation gauge: 14.
Paper type: 103 gsm red phosphor coated.
Period of sale: These stamps remained on sale until 13 January 2000.

Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ

You can visit their website and Online Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/

Information & images for this post came from.

New Zealand Post (Stamps)