2002 - Architectural Heritage.

Buildings belong "partly to those who built them, and partly to all generations who follow," essayist and early preservationist John Ruskin wrote in the 19th Century. New Zealanders today are recognising the heritage value of our important buildings.

2002 Architectural Heritage - Se-tenant block Block Six Stamps.

Although relatively young as a nation New Zealand has many fine buildings worth preserving and admiring. In consultation with the New Zealand Institute of Architects, NZ Post selected six fine examples covering a range of styles and periods. All six stamps featured together in a se-tenant block on the Architectural Heritage first day cover.

This issue celebrated six significant New Zealand buildings. Not all of them are old: the Sky Tower was completed in 1997. But one way or another, all the buildings featured have had an enduring impact in their communities and contributed to the growing recognition of our valuable architectural heritage.

The Six Stamps.

40c - Auckland War Memorial Museum. 

2002 was the 150th anniversary of New Zealand's first museum, opened in Auckland in 1852. The current building was opened in 1929. Surround by the parkland and gardens of the Auckland Domain, this museum had become a major attraction for both Aucklanders and visitors. It is said to have the world's largest collection of Maari artifacts.  

80c - Stone Store, Kerikeri.

New Zealand's oldest stone building, constructed in the 1830s. It has served it's Bay of Islands community as a shop since 1848. Together with the Kemp House located nearby, this historic building has become part of a heritage park.

90c - The Arts Centre, Christchurch.

Completed in 1877 and originally the home of Canterbury University College. It's now a hub for arts, crafts and performance. Being badly damaged during the 2010/11 Christchurch earthquakes, the buildings became inaccessible to the public and the entire complex was closed until the first restored and strengthened had been done.

$1.30 - Government Buildings, Wellington.

This massive 1877 wooden building was designed by W A Clayton New Zealand's first Colonial Architect who, it is claimed, was 'the first to use wood successfully in a grand manner'.  The way in which wood has been used in the detail of the exterior to simulate traditional stone architecture is worth noting. The Government Buildings, famously the biggest wooden structure in the Southern Hemisphere (and the world's largest timber office building), has been a symbol of Wellington's focus as a public service city for 125 years.

See our thematic collection - Parliament Buildings.

$1.50 - Railway Station, Dunedin.

Famous among rail enthusiasts as one of the finest stations from the age of steam. Built in Flemish Renaissance style, it opened in 1906. The station is constructed of dark basalt from Kokonga in the Strath-Taieri with lighter Oamaru stone facings, giving it the distinctive light and dark pattern common to many of the grander buildings of Dunedin and Christchurch.

See our thematic collection - Dunedin Railway Station.

$2.00 - Auckland Sky Tower.

Taller than the Eiffel Tower - and the Southern Hemisphere's tallest tower. Lasers and GPS satellites were used to guide the construction. While being a major tourist attraction and focus of the CBD, this tower is regularly used for major firework displays, such as on New Year's Eve.

Other Collectable Items.

Date of Issue - 3 April 2002.

First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue.

A collectable booklet containing a range of miniature sheets and further information on the stamp issue.

Technical Information.

Date of issue: 3 April 2002.

The number of stamps: Six.

Denominations and designs: 40c Auckland War Memorial Museum, 80c Stone Store, Kerikeri, 90c The Arts Centre, Christchurch, $1.30 Government Buildings, Wellington, $1.50 Railway Station, Dunedin, $2.00 Sky Tower, Auckland.

Se-tenant block: $6.90.

Stamps and first-day cover designed: Mission Hall Design Group Limited, Wellington.

Printer and process: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin by offset lithography.

The number of colours: Four process colours.

Stamp size and format: 25mm x 30mm (vertical), 25mm x 60mm (vertical), 30mm x 50mm (horizontal).

Paper type: De la Rue 103gsm red phosphor stamp paper.

Perforation gauge: 14.4 x 14.

The number of stamps per sheet: 50.

Period of sale: These stamps remained on sale until 2 April 2003.

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)