2016 Ross Dependency.

       Covered in ice for much of the year, and with seawater temperatures below zero, who would guess that beneath the surface the Ross Sea is a world teeming with life?

        The Ross Sea seafloor is home to some of the most diverse invertebrate communities in the Southern Ocean. In stark contrast to the animals living above the ice, the sea floor creatures are often colourful and definitely unique. More than half of Antarctic marine species cannot be found anywhere else. They generally grow slowly, are often very large, and can also live for a long time.

         These spectacular seafloor animals are very well adapted to life in this cold, often dark, and unique environment, where conditions have not changed for millions of years, and where they have evolved in isolation.

         Because of the stable and narrow range of conditions they experience in their habitats now, there is concern about how these animals will survive in a rapidly changing ocean. A great example is how they might cope with temperatures warming above those they currently live in, and the modifications that this will cause to their wider ecosystem. Yet a warming ocean may also enable some organisms to expand their distributions and the introduction of new species may also bring challenges to these isolated communities.

1982 / 1983 Anniversaries / Commemoratives

      This post covers the two Anniversary Issues of 1982 and 1983. Both issues contain five stamps covering a range of centenaries, anniversaries and commemoratives. Each stamp is attractive, interesting and has a story to tell.

1982 Anniversaries / Commemoratives.

20c - Centenary of Tauranga.     20c - Centenary of Hawera.

1981 Anniversaries / Family Life.

1981 Anniversaries / Commemoratives.

The 1981 Commemorative Stamp Issue consisted of two stamps commemorating 
the Centenary of Feilding and the International Year of Disabled Persons.

20c - Centenary of Feilding.

1981 marked the centenary of the Constitution of Feilding as a Borough.  The town was named after the Honourable Colonel William Henry Adelbert Feilding, 1836-1895, son of 7th Earl of Denbeigh.  Feilding is a community serving the rural area of the upper Manawatu and has a population of about 13,000.  A main feature of the borough is the stock sale yards which play an important part in the agricultural and pastoral activities of the district.

1980 Architecture

        The second Architecture issue featured buildings of a slightly more modern design. They include two houses, a courthouse and a grand Government building. This has been said to have been the second largest wooden structure in the world.

14c - Ewelme Cottage, Parnell.

The cottage was built in 1863-64 for the Rev Vicesimus Lush the first vicar of Howick and his family.  The kauri cottage was eventually purchased by the Auckland City Council and leased to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.  Restored to its former glory and richly endowed by many of the Lush family possessions, the cottage is open to the public.

2016 Christmas.

         Every year since 1960 New Zealand has issued special stamps for Christmas. Originally this was a single stamp but more recently has become a set of five or six stamp plus adhesives. Usually, this occurs much earlier, late October or early November, so mail carrying these stamps can reach their overseas destinations by Christmas day. 
         The 2016 Christmas issue featured five values showing five people from the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It's a wonderful story, displayed with bright colour in five different images that, as we will find further down this page, become part of a much larger picture.
         Three of these stamps were also issued in an adhesive format for those who wish to buy larger quantities of these stamps.

The five values of the 2016 Christmas Issue.

1979 Architecture

        This is the first of three New Zealand Architecture issues, the others appearing in 1980 and 1982. New Zealand Architecture is an interesting subject that has appeared on many stamps. At first most of the buildings were copies from styles found in England but as these styles were adapted for New Zealand conditions, new and distinctly New Zealand styles began to emerge.        

        

         Buildings from the 1800s were the subject of the first issue on early New Zealand architecture. Notice the purpose of each of these buildings, one a private house, two mission buildings and one Government building.

10c - Riverlands Cottage, Blenheim.

Built about 1865 for Charles Redwood, son of a pioneering family.  Redwood arrived in New Zealand in 1842 and purchased the land in 1865.  The present cob cottage could date earlier than this since "squatting" was still a common practice in the 1860s.  Lack of suitable timber in Wairau forced the construction of the cob style house.  The cob walls were constructed from a mud and tussock mixture while the roof was made from wooden shingles.   Administered by the Marlborough Historical Society, interest in the restoration of the cottage from its badly dilapidated state began in 1959.  It was opened to the public in 1965.

1979 Other Events.

1979 United Nations Year Of The Child.

10c - Children At Playschool.

1979 was designated the International Year of the Child by the United Nations in order to focus the attention of all countries on the special needs of children, and to stimulate the sharing of international experience and resources to promote the well being of children everywhere.

1992 Antarctic Seals.

        This is the third New Zealand issue during the period when the Ross Dependency didn't issue its own postage stamps. While the name Ross Dependency does appear on the stamps, this issue was valid for postage throughout New Zealand like any other New Zealand stamp.

        The issue celebrates some of the seals found in the dependency. It also highlights that fact that even in this cold, harsh region, there is life to be found in abundance. I think the best it the one that can be seen to the left, showing a mother with her calf.

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."

1979 Statesmen of the 19th Century.

Notable 19th Century New Zealand Statesmen were depicted on this se-tenant strip of three stamps. It could be said that these three men were "fathers of the nation" of New Zealand. From Sir George Grey who guided the country through the early Maori wars; to Sir Julius Vogel with his great infrastructure projects; to Richard John Seddon with his social reforms; these three men gave much to New Zealand. 

1992 Landscapes Booklet

1992 saw a change in New Zealand stamps when NZ Post began issuing themed definitive booklets. This is the first issue where ten different stamps combine to create one complete picture of a theme.
This booklet stamp issue of 10, 45 cent stamps depicts a scenic panorama reflecting the beauty of New Zealand's countryside. It is designed to incorporate many different types of New Zealand scenery. Each stamp shows a specific self-contained landscape but is also part of one total integrated theme.

1900 The Wellington Flag.

        The Wellington Flag is a machine cancellation that appeared in 1900 as New Zealand was celebrating the turn of the century. It does not seem to have been used in any location other than Wellington, hence it normally referred to as The Wellington Flag. The cancel shows the Union Jack in the top left corner with the four stars of the Southern Cross against a vertical lines background. In the centre of the stars are the large letters 'NZ' for New Zealand. The design even features a wave as if its being moved in a gentle breeze. I believe the date and Post Office name was part of this cancel as it appears in exactly the same location in every example I've seen.

         Now this cancel first captured Allan and Mary's interest when they found it on a couple of stamps that had been removed from issue long before this cancel appeared. These are shown again at the bottom of this page.
        One day recently it was suggested that we should go back and try to find more about this cancel. I was given the task and my answer to that is not much, other than what has been said above, but what I did find were some very interesting covers. I hope these will go some way to telling us more.

We invite anyone who knows more to contact us via a comment below.

State "Non-Publish" if you don't want your comment published.  

Antarctica Post - Page Two

        Antarctica Post has issued a new stamp each year since 2002. These stamps are designed and issued with the help of New Zealand Wine Post. Their stamps secure special delivery between the USA bases, South Pole Station or McMurdo Station to Antarctica Post Agency in Dunedin. Once the letter reaches New Zealand it is forwarded using other postal services.

         As well as providing a postal service they also have an eye for the collector market as well. They offer a service where for $10.00 they will provide a letter or postcard cancelled at the South Pole and sent to you via New Zealand. Examples of these can be seen on this page.

         There will be some small, poor quality stamps in this collection until we can find better replacements. We considered it was better to present a complete collection rather than go for a part collection of good quality stamps. Like we did with our NZ Wine Post collection, this post will be published partly finished with further work continuing after that. For updates see our 'What is New in this Blog.'

Our collection of Antarctica Post stamps has continued to grow until now the decision has been made to establish the second page.     

Go Back to Antarctica Post - Page One.  (Issues 2002 - 2009)

1998 The Statue of Wairaka

       Back in June, when Kim was working on her post, 1998 - 1999 Scenic Stamps, she came across a stamp featuring the Statue of Wairaka found mounted on a large rock at the mouth of the Whakatane River (harbour). At that time I provided her with a short version of the story of Wairaka but now I wish to explore this story in greater detail along with better photographs of her statue that can be barely seen on the stamp.

$1.50 - Wairaka at Sunset, Whakatane.

(1998 Scenic Issue)

A seldom-seen perspective, by Cam Feast, of the statue of Wairaka which stands on top of one of the rocks at the channel entrance of Whakatane Harbour (river) in the Bay of Plenty.

2011 Matariki - Fish Hooks

Matariki - Hei Matau (Fish Hooks)
        The appearance of the star cluster known as Matariki is a time to celebrate New Zealand's unique history and place in the world. New Zealand Post marked the start of the Māori New Year with it's Matariki 2011 - Hei Matau stamp issue.
        Meaning 'fish hook', matau are traditionally an important aspect of Māori life, providing Māori with the means to catch their kai moana or 'food from the sea'. Many fishermen had their own 'lucky' fish hook, which they would wear around their necks (hei matau) for safe keeping.
        Today hei matau are used less for catching fish and more for catching someone's eye when worn as pendants. They remain a cultural treasure (taonga) and have an important link to the origins of Aotearoa, New Zealand. According to Māori legend, New Zealand's North Island was once a giant fish that was caught by the half-god and seafarer Māui, using a woven line and his magic bone matau.
        Hei matau have a strong connection to Tangaroa, god of the sea, and as such the stamps in this issue feature the commonly stylised element of the sea. Meaning 'the fish hook of Māui', the phrase 'Te matau o Māui-tikitiki-a-Taranga' has also been incorporated into the design.

1977 Education

      
       Education in New Zealand at primary and secondary levels is compulsory for all children.  Education at pre-school and university and other tertiary levels are also provided.  It's a system taking children through from the youngest until they become young adults ready to begin careers in New Zealand society.

       A unique feature of New Zealand's education system is the Correspondence School which provides tuition by correspondence for children living in remote areas and for those otherwise unable to attend normal classes.

       New Zealand Post Office issued five stamps to recognise education in New Zealand and commemorate the centenary of the Education Act of 1877, which established the Department of Education. These stamps were issued in a strip of five se-tenant stamps.

1978 Anniversaries.

The 1978 Commemorative Stamp Issue honours the centenaries of two farming towns: Stratford and Ashburton; a sub-tropical county: the Bay of Islands; and the introduction of the telephone into New Zealand.

2016 75th Anniversary of the Navy.

          On 1 October 1941, His Majesty King George VI approved the designation ‘Royal New Zealand Navy’, creating the independent maritime force that is the RNZN today. Since then, many thousands have served in the Navy, playing a crucial role in contributing towards the prosperity and security of New Zealand. For 75 years, the Navy has served New Zealand in many ways, some of which are shown in the stamps below.

           2016 marks 75 years of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), and NZ Post was celebrating with a six value, commemorative stamp issue that reflects the essential role that the RNZN plays.

1990 Antarctic Birds.

         Ever since James Cook sailed his ships Resolution and Adventure south of the Antarctic Circle in January 1773, New Zealand has been closely linked with this vast, frozen continent at the bottom of the world. Cook called in at Dusky Sound to replenish supplies following his epic voyage of discovery. Numerous explorers since Cook have set off from New Zealand on ambitious and dangerous Antarctic expeditions of their own.
         It is not surprising then, that the continent holds a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders.  The legacy of exploration, however, is not the sole reason.  Environmental issues have always been of paramount importance. We were the first nation, for example, to suggest that the Antarctic be turned into a World Park, free from exploitation.
         Today, with the Antarctic under threat from pollution, mining and a potential tourist boom, the protection of its environment and wildlife is of great concern.  The coldest and most desolate place on earth is, interestingly, home to an amazing abundance of life, including a few hardy and populous bird species - the subject of this special stamp issue.
        "Survivors in a Harsh Climate" is an apt subtitle for this issue because the six species have in common the ability to breed and survive in unforgiving Antarctic conditions.  The extreme climate makes survival a never-ending challenge.  It is common for high percentages of eggs and chicks to be lost to bad weather, or killed by natural predators.

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.

2016 Health Stamps.

 Back to 2015 Health Stamp Issue.

To view this issue in our Health Stamp Collection
2016 Health Issue.

The Theme of this issue is - Being Active.

         The 2016 Children’s Health stamps show how Kiwi kids can easily embrace a healthy and active lifestyle through regular daily exercise. Just 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day is all it takes for kids to build strong, healthy bodies and minds, and friendships too. Whether it’s walking or biking to school, playing sports at lunchtime or climbing the jungle gym – it’s all doable in a day for our kids at play!
          This beautifully illustrated stamp issue consists of three stamps that show children in simple, everyday play. Each stamp represents one of the three key areas of exercise that help keep children healthy: aerobic activity, strength building and flexibility. Together, the three stamps form a seamless illustrated image, shown above and in the collectables further down this post. I like the way the children appear more lifelike and natural.

           Ten cents from the sale of each stamp in this issue goes directly to Stand Children’s Services Tu Maia Whanau (formerly known as Children’s Health Camps). The stamps help to aid the valuable service that Stand provides to children and their families in need around New Zealand.
           New Zealand Post has been a proud supporter of Children’s Health Camps not missing a single yearly issue since they began in 1929. You will find a complete set of all of these issues, including this one, in the indexed pages above.

2010 Matariki - Maori Kites.

Matariki - Manu Tukutuku (Traditional Maori Kites)

       In this post, we feature another of the lesser known crafts of Maori, the making of Maori kites. This issue included only have four values, a miniature sheet and the usual two First Day Covers. Kites were made and flown by both Maori adults and children. As is shown in the stamps below they were made out of many materials and came in a variety of styles or shapes.

See our Matariki Collection.                       See our Index - New Zealand Maori.

50c – Manu Aute

Maori made many of their kites in the shape of birds (manu), reflecting their belief that this was how a person’s soul or spirit was made manifest. ‘Manu aute’ was one of the largest birdlike kites, and the one featured on our 50 cent stamp is the oldest of all surviving specimens.

Dunedin Railway Station.

A collection of stamps featuring this iconic building.

         After parliament buildings and the beehive, Dunedin Railway Station must be one of the buildings most featured on stamps. This beautiful building with its attractive light and dark stonework looks nothing like a station from one side and was once one of the busiest stations from the other. It was built at a time when Dunedin was booming with wealth from gold rushes of inland Otago. Now it is quieter, the station only seeing a few tourist trains each day and the building turned to other uses. But it is still the iconic building, the tourist attraction it always was. And it still makes a great subject for a stamp too.

For stamps on other railway subjects see Trains of New Zealand.

1982 Architecture - 30c Dunedin Railway Station.

30c - Dunedin Railway Station.

1982 Architecture.

2016 - Courage & Commitment 1916

2018 World War I Commemorative Book Series.

Back to 2015 The Spirit of ANZAC - 1915.                  Forward to 2017 The Darkest Hour - 1917.

         Here is the third annual instalment (of five) in New Zealand’s homage to the Great War (World War I). The multiple issue format is unchanged – a set of twenty stamps: a block of six, two se-tenant pairs and a sheetlet of ten; two miniature sheets, one of six and one of four; and a commemorative prestige booklet containing twelve booklet panes.

         By 1916 the scale of the Great War had been truly realised. At home, volunteers for service had slowed to a trickle and to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for more men to fight, conscription was introduced. In New Zealand, the first Anzac Day was observed a year after the Gallipoli landings. As the battle moved to the Western Front, the courage and commitment of the servicemen were sorely tested.

          Our main writer on these kinds of subjects has rejected this series completely so I've picked it up and will try and do what I can to make it fly, but I must confess to lacking knowledge of World War I.

2012 Matariki - Maori Rock Art.

          Māori rock art is not as well known as Maori wood carving but examples can be found throughout the country. The stamps in this issue depict examples of rock art documented in Te Waipounamu (the South Island) where more than 500 sites have been recorded to date.

           Rock art is applied to a variety of stone types, and while the common perception is that rock art was created using a burnt stick, the majority of the ‘drawings’ in Te Waipounamu appear to have been applied as pigment in solution. The style of Māori rock art is similar to that from wider Polynesia, suggesting that it was a practice brought to New Zealand by its earliest people.

           Māori rock art gives a glimpse of New Zealand’s history and culture, and the drawings included on the six self-adhesive stamps in this issue portray animals now long extinct, representations of everyday life and depictions of the supernatural.

          The rauru (spiral design) on the stamps pays respect to Rangi and Papa, and the light and knowledge that came about from their separation. The colours used in the rauru reflect the land and environment, and the koru represent growth and life and pay respect to the past, present and future.