1993 Fastpost Booklet.

This issue relates to and could be considered part of the 1985 - 93 Bird Definitives. In fact, it was included in our post on that issue.

In 1993 there was a reissue of the 80c value, this time depicting the New Zealand Falcon. The purpose of this issue was booklets for Fastpost.  

The original Perf 14½ x 14 issued in 1993 was reissued in 1994 as a perf 12 variety. This variety was found only in booklet formats.  In 1995 another second variety appeared where one side of the stamp was imperforate on either the left or right sides - whichever edge was closest to the edge of the booklet. This should not be considered a flaw as it was intended to be issued like this which is why I have called it the second variety. First Day Covers were not issued for either of these two varieties.

New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) - 80c

2010 Regional Postage

At the request of Post Shops in tourist destinations around New Zealand, New Zealand Post tested the popularity of regional booklets of stamps with this issue of two booklets for Kaikoura.

1989 New Mail Centre Openings

On the 9th August 1989, NZ Post officially opened two new mail centres designed for the faster and more efficient sorting of mail for Hamilton and Auckland's North Shore. Special covers with pre-printed stamps were created to mark this important milestone. 

The front cover showing views of both centres. The stamp is an NZ Post mail van.

The reverse side with text regarding this event.

(See the text enlargement below.)

Annual New Zealand Stamp Collections.

Each year New Zealand Post produces 'The New Zealand Collection' - a comprehensive album of all the stamps produced in in the past year. This premium publication features stunning pictorial images and extensive commentary on the year's stamp issues from some of New Zealand’s most well known personalities.

The advert header from the NZ Post Site.

We have decided to feature four years of these collections (2013 - 2016) on this blog since it's part of the New Zealand Stamp Scene. I know it will turn into a free advert for NZ Post but I hope that over time this post will become more of the historic page. Prices are included for interest only and these items will not be sold by this blog. For current price and availability please contact NZ Post via their website  https://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/

 

2013 Collection.                                        2014 Collection.                                           2015 Collection.

                                         
2016 Collection.                                               2017 Collection.

2016 A Journey Through Middle-earth.

        This issue was rejected by Allan, the owner of this blog, as being just a collectable, having nothing to do with the true objective of stamps. He said the main purpose of stamps were to show postage had been paid on mail travelling through the postal system. While I agree with him I also want to point out that NZ Post clearly stated that this was a product aimed at the collector market. We argued that this issue should have a place in this blog and in the end he agreed to allow it saying "You can do this post if you like. I want nothing to do with it." So here it is a joint post by Kim and myself (Asami). 
          (In the end Allan did help but don't tell him I told you. LOL!)

See my complete collection of Lord of the Ring / The Hobbit stamps.
 

         Here is the opening paragraph and banner on the NZ Post page. (Allan please notice the use of the word "collectable." They are not trying to pass this off as a postage stamp. They are presenting an amazing stamp with a lovely book to go with it.)

"Whether you’re a fan of Hobbits, Orcs, Dwarves, Elves, Men or Wizards,

there’s something for everyone in our brand new Middle-earth collectable!"

One Stamp To Rule Them All!

In the depths of Mount NZ Post, designers were secretly at work crafting the master stamp,

the one stamp that would rule all other Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit stamps.

"One Stamp to rule them all,

One Stamp to find them,

One Stamp to bring them all and

on this blog page bind them."

2016 Road to Rio

          Athletes from around the world united (on 5-21 August) at the 28th Summer Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They competed in 42 different sports, contested at 32 competition venues, spread across four regions of Rio. Since the inception of the first Olympic Games in 1896, our Kiwi athletes have inspired generations, winning a total of 103 medals - 43 gold, 19 silver and 41 bronze.

          ‘Be the Inspiration’ is the theme of New Zealand’s 2016 Olympic Games campaign. It tells the story of how we as a nation support and inspire our athletes as they prepare to pull on the iconic black singlet - which has been worn with pride by generations before them - and in so doing, inspire us.

         The Rio Olympic stamp issue consists of ten $1 stamps - representing the ten events that New Zealand has previously won gold medals in athletics, boxing, canoeing, swimming, equestrian, field hockey, triathlon, rowing, cycling and sailing. Featuring elements of the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s (NZOC's) ‘Be the Inspiration’ campaign, the photographs on the stamps reflect the New Zealand landscape as the athletes' training ground for future success.

See our collection Olympic & Commonwealth Games Stamps.

Kupe and The First Maori Settlers.

        Here is the story of Kupe and the First Maori Settlers of Aotearoa (New Zealand). It is a story of the voyage of the great waka (canoe), Matawhaorua, and the voyage of its successor Ngä-toki-matawhaorua; journeys across vast dangerous oceans to reach this land of Aotearoa. In the words of this story, we will meet the legendary voyager Kupe and others who sailed with him or after him. Mighty taniwha (dragon-like) and great ariki (great men of descent) had roles to play in this story as well. Finally, I hope to show you how closely this story is connected with the modern New Zealand of today.

        This post was something very different for me. While researching for other Maori stories that are featured on stamps, I began to realise that there were a number of stories set around the legendary Kupe. I wondered if it might be possible to put these together into a single post, illustrated with postage stamps, while still being respectful to the oral traditions of the Maori People.

        There are a few variations in the stories of Kupe so I have decided where possible to follow the versions and histories recorded by the Northland iwi (tribes), in particular, Te Rarawa, Te Aupöuri and Ngä Puhi. I have also drawn on information and stamps that can be found in other posts on this blog, but I make no apology in repeating myself here if it adds to the story we are considering.

The illustration above - Kupe and his wife Kuramärotini discovering Aotearoa.  

By Paul Lloyd - Flickr: Kupe Group Statue, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15332835.

Frama Stamps 1984 - 1996

A variable value stamp, is a gummed or self-adhesive postage stamp of a common design, issued by a machine similar to an Automatic Teller Machine, with a value of the user's choice printed at the time the stamp is dispensed. The value may be variable or from a fixed selection of postal rates. The stamps and machines are typically for use in retail or post office environments. As only the postal value varies from stamp to stamp, these stamps have been described as key type stamps. They are also closely related to meter stamps from postage meters.
As the concept has developed, a variety of different names have been used, including, but not limited to, Automatenmarken (Germany), ATM stamps (USA), Autopost stamps (USA), Frama labels (Europe) or machine labels (Stanley Gibbons catalogues).



The Frama company of Switzerland produced a special type of patterned paper suitable for dispensing by machine and electronic printing that could be used to create an unlimited number of different stamp designs. The British Post Office used the paper experimentally in vending machines in 1984-85 but the experiment was not regarded as a success. Frama labels were also introduced in Switzerland in 1976. Frama labels were distinctive for the whole design being printed in one operation onto the special paper, including the value, rather than just the value being printed onto a pre-printed stamp.
New Zealand trialled these labels in 1984 and continued to use them through until the mid - late 1990s. It would seem that like was discovered in Great Britain, this system of per-paid postage was not completely successful.  

This post will follow the story of New Zealand Frama Stamps from their trial in 1984 through to their last issue in 1996. Along the way we will also look at First Day Covers and flaws where the vending machine misprinted.

When Allan suggested I do a post on these, my first thought was "Boring!" Then I looked at them and became fascinated of them. Soon I was telling things of Frama Stamps even our stamp experts didn't know. Ha! Ha! 

The Legend of Hinemoa,

For an index to all our posts on The Maori People.

Rotorua’s famous romance, based on a true story of forbidden love between a high ranking young maiden and Tutanekai - illegitimately born of an illicit affair.  Mokoia Island is historical location of their union and is still cherished and celebrated today.



Hinemoa and Tutanekai beside the pool of warm water Waikimhia, 

now also known as Hinemoa's Pool.  

                    
             40c - Hinemoa.                                          The Original Promotional Image.       

                                             

1958 & 1998 - Pania of the Reef.

For an index to all our posts on The Maori People.

This post was inspired by something in the post Mary has just completed 1958 Anniversaries. In the Hawke's Bay Centennial issue is a stamp 2d - Pania of the Reef. This statue caught my interest as I remembered seeing it in the 1998 Town Icons issue too. (Both stamps are shown below). So in looking deeper I discovered the story of Pania of the Reef; a Maori legend or myth, a romantic yet tragic love-story, and a beautiful bronze statue.  

The Stamps.

                                 

1958 Hawke's Bay Centennial.                                       1998 Town Icons - Napier, NZ.

Pania can be found on other New Zealand stamps but in the two shown

above she take centre place as the main subject of the stamp.
For more about the heitiki she is wearing see story below or visit our post Heitiki

1894 The Wreck of the SS Wairarapa.

         In the third worst shipwreck ever in New Zealand waters, 121 lives were lost when the Union Steam Ship Company steamer SS Wairarapa struck Miners Head, on the northern tip of Great Barrier Island, 90 km north-east of Auckland. As the island’s only contact with the outside world was via a weekly steamer, news of the shipwreck took three days to reach Auckland. This highlighted the need for better communication between the island and the mainland. A need that would eventually lead to the Great Barrier Pigeongram Services.

1929 Health Issue.

This issue can be viewed in our Health Stamp Collection

Health Stamps - Part One (1929 - 1930)

                          

The First Health Stamp.                                        Dr Elizabeth Gunn.

                                                                                 (1969 Health Issue.)

         The story of this issue begins much earlier on the 25th November 1919 when a Wanganui School Medical Officer, Dr Elizabeth Gunn, took 55 children to a farm near Marton, where they camped for three weeks under canvas. The camp was a great success so she continued with these camps each year up until 1930. Others around New Zealand took up the idea as well which became the beginning of Health Camps in New Zealand.

Arms Postal Fiscals - Part Three.

Back to  Arms Postal Fiscals - Part Two.

         This will be my last post on Revenue Stamps. I feel its about time I moved on to something else. In this, my final post of Revenue Stamps, I want to just present a small collection of items where the Arms Stamps have been used. First I have included some postal items using Arms Type stamps. Lower down we come to a few examples of Revenue use, including a nice little collection of telephone toll cards. I will end this study with what I have called the ultimate Revenue document. Make sure you check that one out.

Postal Use. 

A First Flight Pictorial cover, dated 19th July 1940, sent to USA and return, via Noumea, Canton Island, Hawaii. The postage was 4/- paid with a 4/- Arms stamp. 

1941 Cover to the HMS Prince of Wales.

Wow! This is postal history at its best.
          I found this cover while I was looking for examples for my third page on the 1931 Arms Fiscals. As I researched the last voyage of the HMS Prince of Wales I became more intrigued with the story. It quickly became clear that this cover never could have reached the ship in time, particularly if it went via London.
          When I showed Allan he suggested we give this item its own special post. So this post includes the cover and its story. Then I have shown a photograph of the mighty warship Prince of Wales and a description of the Japanese attack. Finally, as an extra bonus I have a Japanese postcard celebrating the "Sea Battle off Malaya 10 December 1941" which led to the loss of the two battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.  

1900 4d Lake Taupo Invert.

        This stamp, issued August 1899 is the 4d Lake Taupo / Mt Ruapehu. The lake is New Zealand's largest lake situated in the centre of the North Island, the stamp design incorporates, Mount Ruapehu (2,797 metres) in the distance. The tree depicted is a cabbage palm, common throughout much of New Zealand.  This stamp was a reproduction, at a slightly smaller size, of the 1898 1d stamp designed by J Gaut.

See our post on the 1898 Pictorial Issue.

4d - Lake Taupo / Mt Ruapehu.

A normal mint example.

1963 Crash Cover.

        Here is something a bit different.

        On 3 July 1963, a NAC Douglas DC-3 crashed into the Kaimai Ranges in New Zealand's North Island while flying in clouds and turbulence. The aircraft was flying from Whenuapai Airport, in Auckland, to Tauranga.

       The crash happened when the aircraft struck a vertical rock face after encountering a strong downdraft. The aircraft may also have commenced an early descent with the pilots unaware of the true position of the aircraft, on the wrong side of the ranges. All 23 people on board were killed. The wreckage remains on the hillside to this day, with a small memorial cairn beside it.

Wildlife - Game Bird Habitat.

         The New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust, established under the 1953 Wildlife Act, exists primarily to improve New Zealand game bird habitat, and secondarily to improve the habitat for other wildlife. The key purpose of the Game Bird Habitat Trust Board is to distribute funding for the development and enhancement of wetland habitat for the benefit of game birds and other wetland inhabitants.

         The New Zealand Fish and Game Council commenced issuing $10 license stamps in 1994.  The stamp is affixed to the game bird hunter's license thus validating the license for the current year. $2 of the license fee goes towards establishment and protection of Game Bird Habitats. The stamps and related products such as miniature sheets and First Day Covers are also marketed by NZ Post with funding received going back to the Habitat Trust.

          I first saw these stamps on the NZ Post website a few months ago. A web search revealed a few extra years to the ones offered by NZ Post. Since it seemed an impossible exercise to find all of these stamps, or for that matter even establish how many years they had been issued, I dropped the project in favour of many others I could complete. Yesterday I found them all except the year 2011 which I just happened to have already so now I am able to feature them in a post on this blog. 

          The date shown under each stamp relates to the year of issue of the stamp, not the year the license expires as shown on the stamp itself.

Great Barrier Pigeon Post.

        Great Barrier Island is the largest island in the Hauraki Gulf, laying only 65 miles (105Km) from Auckland City. The island can be seen from Auckland on a clear day, it is that close, but back in the 1800s, it was isolated with no communication other than by sea with an irregular ship service. When in 1894, the Northern Steamship Company's ship SS Wairarapa hit the northern end of the island with the loss of 121 lives, the news took several days to reach Auckland. It highlighted the need for better communication between the island and the mainland. See our post Wreck of the Wairarapa.

       The Great Barrier Pigeongram Agency was created in early 1897 with a purpose of providing a mail service using pigeons. The letters carried, known as flimsies, were written on extremely lightweight paper. A few months later, on 14th May 1897, a rival pigeon mail service was established under the name of The Original Great Barrier Pigeongram Service. The two companies, commonly known as the 'Agency' and the 'Service', competed with each other until 1908 when a telephone cable was laid between the island and the mainland. 

1949 - 1952 Cancelled Royal Visits.

1953 Royal Visit.

The 2001 Royal Visits Issue.