Definitives Tour.
The Native Bird definitives issued during the late 1980s and early 1990s proves to be a confusing issue to lay out in an album or catalogue because it was issued over eight years on eleven different issue dates. Most dealers seem to place them in two sets with some extras after that but I've decided to lay them out as they were issued. This actually turned into an interesting exercise finding these dates then placing the stamps accordingly.
I have been unable to get a clear explanation as to why this set was issued in stages. The best reason I can think is that they were released as stocks of the older definitive series ran out.
Since this was one of our very early posts, in October 2017 we returned to this page to bring it up to the standard of our more recent posts. Descriptions were added for each bird and First Day Covers were added for each issue. During this process, we discovered we had missed a couple of issues which were also added.
Since this was one of our very early posts, in October 2017 we returned to this page to bring it up to the standard of our more recent posts. Descriptions were added for each bird and First Day Covers were added for each issue. During this process, we discovered we had missed a couple of issues which were also added.
24th April 1985.
Kokako (Callaeas cinerea) - $1.00. Black Robin (Petroica Traversi) - $2.
The first two values to be issued were the $1 and $2. These featured two rarer birds on a larger format stamp.
(See the PhilexFrance '89 Miniature Sheet further down in 1989 which features colour separations of the $2 stamp.)
Kokako: Issued 24 April 1985 - $1.00
The kokako (Callaeas cinerea) illustrated is a North Island variety and is also known as the blue wattled crow, referring to the two blue bags which hang from the head of the bird and steel-grey plumage. The kokako grows to about 38 cm long. With two legs and a disproportionately long tail, it is not a good flier but tends to hop along branches and trunks and glide from one tree to another or move across the forest floor with a clumsy bounding gait. Living in dense pockets of kauri trees and rainforest, the kokako is usually well away from the sight of man while feeding on young leaves, flowers and berries. The North Island kokako is now quite rare - barely surviving its orange-wattled South Island cousins, considered today to be extinct.
Black Robin: Issued 24 April 1985 - $2.00
One of the world's rarest birds, the Chatham Islands black robin (Petroica traversi), is a forest and scrub dweller of about 16cm in length. This species is one of the smallest in numbers and most endangered in the world and during the summer of 1976/77, the New Zealand Wildlife Service transferred the entire population from Little Mangere Island to nearby Mangere Island (in the Chatham Islands group) after planting 150,000 trees in an effort to rejuvenate the habitat. In 1980/81, the first clutches of the remaining birds were transferred to nearby nests of Chatham Island warblers, where three chicks were raised to fledging by the warblers before being returned to the robins for rearing.
The kokako (Callaeas cinerea) illustrated is a North Island variety and is also known as the blue wattled crow, referring to the two blue bags which hang from the head of the bird and steel-grey plumage. The kokako grows to about 38 cm long. With two legs and a disproportionately long tail, it is not a good flier but tends to hop along branches and trunks and glide from one tree to another or move across the forest floor with a clumsy bounding gait. Living in dense pockets of kauri trees and rainforest, the kokako is usually well away from the sight of man while feeding on young leaves, flowers and berries. The North Island kokako is now quite rare - barely surviving its orange-wattled South Island cousins, considered today to be extinct.
Black Robin: Issued 24 April 1985 - $2.00
One of the world's rarest birds, the Chatham Islands black robin (Petroica traversi), is a forest and scrub dweller of about 16cm in length. This species is one of the smallest in numbers and most endangered in the world and during the summer of 1976/77, the New Zealand Wildlife Service transferred the entire population from Little Mangere Island to nearby Mangere Island (in the Chatham Islands group) after planting 150,000 trees in an effort to rejuvenate the habitat. In 1980/81, the first clutches of the remaining birds were transferred to nearby nests of Chatham Island warblers, where three chicks were raised to fledging by the warblers before being returned to the robins for rearing.
A set of four $1 Kokako showing the same paper crease. It appears they might have been part of a strip that was separated for selling.
First Day Cover - 24 April 1985.
23rd April 1986.
Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) - $3. Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) - $4.
One year later the second two values were issued ($3 and $4). Again these were in the larger format.
Stitchbird: Issued 23 April 1986 - $3.00
The stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta), also known as 'hihi', is easily identified by their erratic movements and distinctive call. They are a forest dwelling species feeding mainly on nectar, fruits and insects. Adults feed in the lower forest strata whereas juveniles spend much time on or near the ground. Now confined to Little Barrier Island, Hauraki Gulf and Hen Island where it was introduced in 1980, the stitchbird was previously distributed throughout much of the North Island and on Great Barrier Island. The stitchbird was apparently uncommon in the northern third of the North Island, even in early European times and became extinct in the North Island and on Great Barrier before 1900.
The stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta), also known as 'hihi', is easily identified by their erratic movements and distinctive call. They are a forest dwelling species feeding mainly on nectar, fruits and insects. Adults feed in the lower forest strata whereas juveniles spend much time on or near the ground. Now confined to Little Barrier Island, Hauraki Gulf and Hen Island where it was introduced in 1980, the stitchbird was previously distributed throughout much of the North Island and on Great Barrier Island. The stitchbird was apparently uncommon in the northern third of the North Island, even in early European times and became extinct in the North Island and on Great Barrier before 1900.
Saddleback: Issued 23 April 1986 - $4.00
The Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) recognised by its striking 'saddle' of chestnut-coloured plumage, another forest bird living in middle and lower layers of the forest and feeding on insects, fruit and nectar. Confined until recently on Hen Island in the Hauraki Gulf and three islets off the south-western tip of Stewart Island, the Saddleback has now been re-established on a number of North Island islands, Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds and islands around Stewart Island. The Saddleback was, prior to 1900, distributed through much of New Zealand's forest areas and on many offshore islands.
The Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) recognised by its striking 'saddle' of chestnut-coloured plumage, another forest bird living in middle and lower layers of the forest and feeding on insects, fruit and nectar. Confined until recently on Hen Island in the Hauraki Gulf and three islets off the south-western tip of Stewart Island, the Saddleback has now been re-established on a number of North Island islands, Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds and islands around Stewart Island. The Saddleback was, prior to 1900, distributed through much of New Zealand's forest areas and on many offshore islands.
First Day Cover - 23 April 1986.
Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) - 30c. Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) - 45c.
A bit over one week later two more values, 30c and 45c, were released. I do not know why these two issues weren't made at the same time.
Kakapo: Issued 1 May 1986 - 30c
Though it resembles an owl, the beautifully patterned kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) is actually a species of parrot. Practically flightless, it is a ground-dwelling bird found in mossy beech forests, and alpine meadows and scrubland. The kakapo is nocturnal and vegetarian, feeding on a variety of plants such as the leaves of tussock, rushes, fern, berries, leaves, and roots, and is famous for the large 'dust bowls' which the males make as part of their courtship display. Once widespread throughout New Zealand, the kakapo suffered heavy predation and was feared to be close to extinction until a small population was found on Stewart Island in 1977. Now found mainly in small and isolated areas of Fiordland and central Stewart Island, the kakapo is thought also to exist in parts of the North Island. The kakapo is still extremely rare.
Though it resembles an owl, the beautifully patterned kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) is actually a species of parrot. Practically flightless, it is a ground-dwelling bird found in mossy beech forests, and alpine meadows and scrubland. The kakapo is nocturnal and vegetarian, feeding on a variety of plants such as the leaves of tussock, rushes, fern, berries, leaves, and roots, and is famous for the large 'dust bowls' which the males make as part of their courtship display. Once widespread throughout New Zealand, the kakapo suffered heavy predation and was feared to be close to extinction until a small population was found on Stewart Island in 1977. Now found mainly in small and isolated areas of Fiordland and central Stewart Island, the kakapo is thought also to exist in parts of the North Island. The kakapo is still extremely rare.
Falcon: Issued 1 May 1986 - 45c
The New Zealand falcon or bush hawk (Falco novaeseelandiae) is one of two species of true birds of prey native to New Zealand. Becoming increasingly rare in the North Island, it is still seen only in isolated back-country valleys and in the South Island high country. It is a versatile hunter and fast flier, reaching speeds of up to two hundred kilometres per hour. Its prey consists mainly of smaller birds, mice, rabbits and an occasional stoat. The falcon was once a target for farmers - perhaps because of the bird's fierce defence of its breeding territory, which will lead it to attack even human trespassers. Today, the New Zealand falcon is no longer hunted and is protected by law.
The New Zealand falcon or bush hawk (Falco novaeseelandiae) is one of two species of true birds of prey native to New Zealand. Becoming increasingly rare in the North Island, it is still seen only in isolated back-country valleys and in the South Island high country. It is a versatile hunter and fast flier, reaching speeds of up to two hundred kilometres per hour. Its prey consists mainly of smaller birds, mice, rabbits and an occasional stoat. The falcon was once a target for farmers - perhaps because of the bird's fierce defence of its breeding territory, which will lead it to attack even human trespassers. Today, the New Zealand falcon is no longer hunted and is protected by law.
First Day Cover - 1 May 1986.
Blue Duck (Hymenolaimas malacorhynchos) - 40c Brown Teal (Anas aucklandica) - 60c.
Blue Duck: Issued 2 February 1987 - 40c
The blue duck (Hymenolaimas malacorhynchos) is unique as it has no close relations anywhere in the duck world. Blue ducks, or whio in Maori, are beginning to show a very discontinuous distribution - a classic symptom of a species in decline. Presently there is much effort being directed towards identifying the rivers on which the blue duck occur and how many are present, however, it is known that these birds are located in the upper river valleys of the central North Island and the western flank of the Southern Alps and Fiordland in the South Island.
The blue duck (Hymenolaimas malacorhynchos) is unique as it has no close relations anywhere in the duck world. Blue ducks, or whio in Maori, are beginning to show a very discontinuous distribution - a classic symptom of a species in decline. Presently there is much effort being directed towards identifying the rivers on which the blue duck occur and how many are present, however, it is known that these birds are located in the upper river valleys of the central North Island and the western flank of the Southern Alps and Fiordland in the South Island.
Brown Teal: Issued 2 February 1987 - 60c
The brown teal (Anas aucklandica) has the unenviable distinction of being the rarest of New Zealand's waterfowl. In the South Island, brown teal, or pateke in Maori, are nearing extinction, whereas several populations remain in the North Island. The principal concentration, of about 900 birds, is on Great Barrier Island. Northland is the last mainland stronghold, but there the decline is steady. The total population throughout New Zealand is perhaps fewer than 1500 birds.
The brown teal (Anas aucklandica) has the unenviable distinction of being the rarest of New Zealand's waterfowl. In the South Island, brown teal, or pateke in Maori, are nearing extinction, whereas several populations remain in the North Island. The principal concentration, of about 900 birds, is on Great Barrier Island. Northland is the last mainland stronghold, but there the decline is steady. The total population throughout New Zealand is perhaps fewer than 1500 birds.
Side Perf Shift.
1987 - 40c Blue Duck with major perf shift. Notice how the left-hand
image runs right off the stamp. You can see just
how large this shift is by comparing the white strip on the right
with that of a normal one above.
First Day Cover - 2 February 1987
20th April 1988.
Takahe (Porphyrio (Notornis) mantelli) - $5.
After the $1 - $4 being released earlier, finally, in 1988, we get the $5.00 value released.
Takahe: Issued 20 April 1988 - $5.00
The takahe (Porphyrio (Notornis) mantelli), a member of the "rail" family of birds, has had a protracted and dramatic struggle for survival. In pre-European times it was distributed throughout the greater part of New Zealand but, in recent centuries, it declined to the extent where, from 1847 to 1898, only five birds were recorded. For the next 50 years, there were no sightings whatsoever, until Dr G B Orbell located a small colony of about 12 pairs in Fiordland, in 1948. In fact, there were, as it later became known, about 500 birds in existence at that time. The takahe's history has not been encouraging with its numbers slowly declining. Research suggests that the dwindling takahe numbers are related to the modification of vegetation by deer. Both animals select tussock species with the highest phosphorus content.
First Day Cover - 20 April 1988
Takahe: Issued 20 April 1988 - $5.00
The takahe (Porphyrio (Notornis) mantelli), a member of the "rail" family of birds, has had a protracted and dramatic struggle for survival. In pre-European times it was distributed throughout the greater part of New Zealand but, in recent centuries, it declined to the extent where, from 1847 to 1898, only five birds were recorded. For the next 50 years, there were no sightings whatsoever, until Dr G B Orbell located a small colony of about 12 pairs in Fiordland, in 1948. In fact, there were, as it later became known, about 500 birds in existence at that time. The takahe's history has not been encouraging with its numbers slowly declining. Research suggests that the dwindling takahe numbers are related to the modification of vegetation by deer. Both animals select tussock species with the highest phosphorus content.
7th June 1988.
Special issue for Fastpost service.
Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) - 70c
Paradise Shelduck: Issued 7 June 1988 - 70c
There is no mistaking a female paradise shelduck. She is much prettier than the male. It is normally the other way round in the bird world if there are differences between male and female. Both sexes of the paradise shelduck, or putangitangi in Maori, have attractive sheeny plumage but the female is a striking chestnut with white head and neck while her mate's head is black and his body browny-black with tawny tints. The endemic paradise shelduck is widespread throughout New Zealand today except in a few areas. Large populations are concentrated in some parts of the country and nationally there are said to be at least 130,000. Paradise shelducks begin to breed in their second or third year and apparently mate for life.
First Day Cover - 7 June 1988
2nd November 1988.
In early 1988 a large set of 9 smaller value native birds were released together. These covered the values from 10c to 90c and the stamps were smaller in size than the previous issues had been. Some of these carried the same value as stamps released earlier.
Banded Dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus) - 10c Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) - 30c
Yellowhead (Mohoua ochrocephata) - 20c
Banded Dotterel: Issued 2 November 1988 - 10c
This handsome little bird is named for the bands across its white breast. The banded dotterel, or tuturiwhatu in Maori, is a member of the plover family and is one of five endemic to the New Zealand region, meaning that these species are found here and nowhere else. All five are under threat. The Auckland Island banded dotterel and the New Zealand shore plover are on the Department of Conservation's list of 23 endangered birds, and the wrybill, banded dotterel and New Zealand dotterel are on the threatened or vulnerable register. The banded dotterel is the commonest of the five and is still abundant in some areas. The female normally lays three eggs and incubation is 25 to 27 days. The eggs, blotched dark brown or black, vary in colour to match the nest area as a means of camouflage.
Yellowhead Issued 2 November 1988 - 20c
The alternative name "bush canary" describes the yellowhead perfectly. It looks like a canary with its bright yellow head, breast and tail, and sings strongly with a loud penetrating call. Elusive birds, yellowheads are not easily seen because they are most at home in the high branches of the native forest, preferably beech. But yellowheads, like their close relatives the whiteheads, are sociable enough among themselves, congregating in small families or large flocks in summer and winter. Yellowheads, or mohua in Maori, were once widespread but have declined sharply in numbers as their habitat has shrunk and are on the threatened list. The birds also fall victim to stoats and rats which climb trees to attack nests and yellowheads are one of the targets of long-tailed cuckoos.
Silvereye: Issued 2 November 1988 - 30c
This bird takes its name, naturally enough, from the small white feathers that ring its eyes. Some people call it the waxeye or white-eye and earlier it was known as the blightbird because it fed on insects attacking and blighting apple trees. Widely spread in Australia, the silvereye, or tauhou in Maori, reached New Zealand about 150 years ago flying the Tasman with the aid of the westerly winds, an astonishing feat for such a small bird. Its green, grey and white plumage, quick darting flight and small size are now a common sight in New Zealand and the bird is present in thousands. The birds build delicate nests and hang them from small branches. The female lays three pale blue eggs which hatch in 11 days.
Banded Dotterel: Issued 2 November 1988 - 10c
This handsome little bird is named for the bands across its white breast. The banded dotterel, or tuturiwhatu in Maori, is a member of the plover family and is one of five endemic to the New Zealand region, meaning that these species are found here and nowhere else. All five are under threat. The Auckland Island banded dotterel and the New Zealand shore plover are on the Department of Conservation's list of 23 endangered birds, and the wrybill, banded dotterel and New Zealand dotterel are on the threatened or vulnerable register. The banded dotterel is the commonest of the five and is still abundant in some areas. The female normally lays three eggs and incubation is 25 to 27 days. The eggs, blotched dark brown or black, vary in colour to match the nest area as a means of camouflage.
Yellowhead Issued 2 November 1988 - 20c
The alternative name "bush canary" describes the yellowhead perfectly. It looks like a canary with its bright yellow head, breast and tail, and sings strongly with a loud penetrating call. Elusive birds, yellowheads are not easily seen because they are most at home in the high branches of the native forest, preferably beech. But yellowheads, like their close relatives the whiteheads, are sociable enough among themselves, congregating in small families or large flocks in summer and winter. Yellowheads, or mohua in Maori, were once widespread but have declined sharply in numbers as their habitat has shrunk and are on the threatened list. The birds also fall victim to stoats and rats which climb trees to attack nests and yellowheads are one of the targets of long-tailed cuckoos.
Silvereye: Issued 2 November 1988 - 30c
This bird takes its name, naturally enough, from the small white feathers that ring its eyes. Some people call it the waxeye or white-eye and earlier it was known as the blightbird because it fed on insects attacking and blighting apple trees. Widely spread in Australia, the silvereye, or tauhou in Maori, reached New Zealand about 150 years ago flying the Tasman with the aid of the westerly winds, an astonishing feat for such a small bird. Its green, grey and white plumage, quick darting flight and small size are now a common sight in New Zealand and the bird is present in thousands. The birds build delicate nests and hang them from small branches. The female lays three pale blue eggs which hatch in 11 days.
Brown Kiwi (Apteryx australis) - 40c Spotted Shag (Stictocarbo punctatus) - 60c
Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) - 50c
The 40c Kiwi was shown in our post How the Kiwi Lost His Wings.
Brown Kiwi: Issued 2 November 1988 - 40c
Brown Kiwi (North Island Brown Kiwi: Apteryx mantelli, Southern Brown (Tokoeka) kiwi: Apteryx australis).
This stamp was reissued in a self-adhesive format on 17 April 1991 for a short time before replaced in July 1991 with a 45c value due to a postal rate rise.
The kiwi is nocturnal and cannot fly. It hides during the day, coming out only at night to forage for worms and insect food on the forest floor. The bird is stocky and cone-shaped without wings or tail. It has loosely-attached hair-like feathers giving it a shaggy look. The young are born with the same plumage. The kiwi has a small head and an incredibly long beak with nostrils at the tip. It is the only bird in the world with external nostrils in such a place. The kiwi also has an acutely developed sense of smell. The kiwi's muscular legs can deliver a powerful kick and account for a third of its total weight. New Zealand has three kinds of kiwi: the brown, little spotted and great spotted. The brown has two sub-species: the North Island and the Southern (Tokoeka). One of the most remarkable features of the kiwi is the size of its egg, the largest in the bird world in proportion to the size of the female.
Kingfisher: Issued 2 November 1988 - 50c
The endemic kingfisher, is a handsome bird with lustrous green and ultramarine plumage, brilliant in flight. But it has a wickedly large beak and a sinister looking eye and some of its habits do not bear close examination. The bird is widespread in New Zealand in a variety of habitat with the population densest in the northern part of the North Island. Kingfishers are most frequently seen perched motionless, except for upward and downward flicking of the tail feathers, on telephone and power lines, posts, fences and branches watching for prey. Kingfishers swallow their food whole, regurgitating indigestible parts later. Larger prey is bashed to death against a perch before eating. Kingfishers lay four or five white eggs and normally raise only one family a season.
Spotted Shag: Issued 2 November 1988 - 60c
The spotted shag, called by Maori, parekareka, is only one of a good number of endemic shags. As the breeding season starts both sexes sprout two black crests, one on the forehead and the other on the nape. They also produce scatterings of long white plumes over the head and upper parts. During elaborate courtship rituals, the birds hold their crests erect. As well as the fancy feathers, the spotted shag's brown eye is ringed with blue and a large green surrounding patch is evident too. Back and tail are dark blue, offset by a grey breast and belly. The wings are grey-brown. The black spots which give this species its name are on the tops of the upper wing coverts.
Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) - 50c
The 40c Kiwi was shown in our post How the Kiwi Lost His Wings.
Brown Kiwi: Issued 2 November 1988 - 40c
Brown Kiwi (North Island Brown Kiwi: Apteryx mantelli, Southern Brown (Tokoeka) kiwi: Apteryx australis).
This stamp was reissued in a self-adhesive format on 17 April 1991 for a short time before replaced in July 1991 with a 45c value due to a postal rate rise.
The kiwi is nocturnal and cannot fly. It hides during the day, coming out only at night to forage for worms and insect food on the forest floor. The bird is stocky and cone-shaped without wings or tail. It has loosely-attached hair-like feathers giving it a shaggy look. The young are born with the same plumage. The kiwi has a small head and an incredibly long beak with nostrils at the tip. It is the only bird in the world with external nostrils in such a place. The kiwi also has an acutely developed sense of smell. The kiwi's muscular legs can deliver a powerful kick and account for a third of its total weight. New Zealand has three kinds of kiwi: the brown, little spotted and great spotted. The brown has two sub-species: the North Island and the Southern (Tokoeka). One of the most remarkable features of the kiwi is the size of its egg, the largest in the bird world in proportion to the size of the female.
Kingfisher: Issued 2 November 1988 - 50c
The endemic kingfisher, is a handsome bird with lustrous green and ultramarine plumage, brilliant in flight. But it has a wickedly large beak and a sinister looking eye and some of its habits do not bear close examination. The bird is widespread in New Zealand in a variety of habitat with the population densest in the northern part of the North Island. Kingfishers are most frequently seen perched motionless, except for upward and downward flicking of the tail feathers, on telephone and power lines, posts, fences and branches watching for prey. Kingfishers swallow their food whole, regurgitating indigestible parts later. Larger prey is bashed to death against a perch before eating. Kingfishers lay four or five white eggs and normally raise only one family a season.
Spotted Shag: Issued 2 November 1988 - 60c
The spotted shag, called by Maori, parekareka, is only one of a good number of endemic shags. As the breeding season starts both sexes sprout two black crests, one on the forehead and the other on the nape. They also produce scatterings of long white plumes over the head and upper parts. During elaborate courtship rituals, the birds hold their crests erect. As well as the fancy feathers, the spotted shag's brown eye is ringed with blue and a large green surrounding patch is evident too. Back and tail are dark blue, offset by a grey breast and belly. The wings are grey-brown. The black spots which give this species its name are on the tops of the upper wing coverts.
Fiordland Crested Penguin (Eudytes pachyrhynchus) - 80c
Robin (Petroica australis) - 90c
Fiordland Crested Penguin: Issued 2 November 1988 - 80c
Three species of crested penguins are endemic to New Zealand but only one, the Fiordland crested, nests on the mainland. The other two, the Snares crested and the Erect-crested breed on New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands. Of the three the Fiordland crested is the most vulnerable today. Where the other two breed in colonies of thousands, the Fiordland bird is listed by the Department of Conservation as rare.
Robin: Issued 2 November 1998 - 90c
This bird is not related to Britain's Christmas card Robin but their looks and habits reminded early British settlers of their favourite bird and the name stuck. The New Zealand varieties are grey and white with yellow and brown tinges. And then, of course, there is the black or Chatham Island robin (Petroica traversi) which conservationists have struggled, successfully, to save from extinction. The black robin apart, there are three species of endemic robins in New Zealand - the North Island robin, South Island robin and Stewart Island robin.
First Day Cover - 2 November 1988.
Perforation Shifts
In this corner block of four stamps, the perf has shifted until the bottom of the design appears on the stamp below creating a strange border at the top of each stamp.
40c Brown Kiwi Definitive - a strip of 5 showing grossly miss placed perforations slightly on an angle.
Blue Colour Change.
This block shows a striking colour variety in the two right-hand stamps caused lack of blue ink in this area during printing.
80c - Fiordland Crested Penguin
Perf Shift moved the image to the upper left-hand corner.
1995 Cover with 1988 50c Kingfisher and 1993 $1.00 Blue Round Kiwi.
19th April 1989.
Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii) - $10.
We returned to the larger size stamp format for the $10.00 value issued in April 1989.
This stamp is shown in our post How the Kiwi Lost His Wings.
Little Spotted Kiwi: Issued 19 April 1989 - $10.00
The Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii) is so rare, it has been seen by few New Zealanders this century. Last century, it was studied in detail by naturalists and unfortunately hunted by both European and Maori for food. Its unusual feathers were coveted for cloaks by the Maori and for fashion trimmings by the European. One hunter alone apparently killed more than 2200 kiwis before 1871 - and most of them were little-spotted kiwis. Today, the largest colony is found on Kapiti Island.
The Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii) is so rare, it has been seen by few New Zealanders this century. Last century, it was studied in detail by naturalists and unfortunately hunted by both European and Maori for food. Its unusual feathers were coveted for cloaks by the Maori and for fashion trimmings by the European. One hunter alone apparently killed more than 2200 kiwis before 1871 - and most of them were little-spotted kiwis. Today, the largest colony is found on Kapiti Island.
First Day Cover - 19 April 1989
1989 Stamp Expo Special Issues.
1989 Specimen Birds Presentation Pack.
The stamps overprinted 'SPECIMEN' originate from a special presentation pack issued and sold by New Zealand Post on the 19th of April 1989. The stamps were not valid for postage, obviously, and all proceeds were donated to New Zealand's first World Stamp Exhibition which was held in Auckland from the 24th of August to the 2nd of September 1990.
These two images show the presentation pack that held the six 'specimen' stamps above. The top image shows the pack's cover then below that the pack has been opened to show background notes on the issue on the left page and the stamps themselves on the right page.
1989 Philexfrance Miniature Sheet.
PhilexFrance '89 Miniature Sheet - $3.50
New Zealand Post attended the PhilexFrance '89 Stamp Exhibition in Paris in 1989. A special souvenir miniature sheet was produced to mark the occasion featuring the $2 Definitive black robin stamp. The sheet showed the three different colour separations required to produce the finished stamp. Issued 7 July 1989.
World Stamp Expo 1989.
World Stamp Expo '89 Miniature Sheet - $1.50
New Zealand Post attended the World Stamp Expo '89 in Washington DC and produced a special miniature sheet to commemorate the event, incorporating the 70c 'paradise shelduck' definitive stamp. Issued 17 November 1989.
World Stamp Expo New Zealand 1990
New Zealand Post attended the World Stamp Expo '89 in Washington DC and produced a special miniature sheet to commemorate the event, incorporating the 70c 'paradise shelduck' definitive stamp. Issued 17 November 1989.
World Stamp Expo New Zealand 1990
1990 Specimen Stamp, $10 Kiwi on Exhibition Lottery Ticket.
17th April 1991.
The stamp was reissued in a self-adhesive format on 17 April 1991 for a short time before replaced in July 1991 with a 45c value due to a postal rate rise.
Brown Kiwi: Issued 17th April 1991 - 40c
Brown Kiwi (North Island Brown Kiwi: Apteryx mantelli, Southern Brown (Tokoeka) kiwi: Apteryx australis).
First Day Cover - 17 April 1991
1st July 1991.
Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis) - 5c Rock Wren (Xenicus gilviventris) - 45c
In 1991 two further values were added in the smaller stamp size. The 45c cent was issued as gummed stamps or sold in dispenser boxes as self-adhesive stamps.
Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis) - 5c
Rarely seen because it is such wary bird, the slate and brown coloured spotless crake, known to the Maori as puweto, makes its home in swamps and marshy areas.
Issued 1 July 1991 as a result of a change in postage rates.
Issued 1 July 1991 as a result of a change in postage rates.
Rock Wren (Xenicus gilviventris) - 45c
The small, friendly rock wren is an alpine bird, even in winter, and lives a mouse-like existence in crevices and air pockets between and under jumbled rocks and scrub.
Issued 1 July 1991 as the result of a change in postage rates, in both gummed and self-adhesive format.
Issued 1 July 1991 as the result of a change in postage rates, in both gummed and self-adhesive format.
The self-adhesive dispenser boxes had extra labels included at strategic places to warn when the stamps were running low.
31st March 1993 (Fastpost Definitives Booklet.
New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) - 80c
Finally, in 1993 we had a reissue of the 80c value, this time depicting the New Zealand Falcon. The falcon had appeared earlier in 1986 on the 45c value but this time it is shown flying. Like falcons worldwide, the New Zealand bird flies superbly but differs from most other species in having short wings and a long tail. It is a forest dweller too. The Maori name for the bird is karearea.
The purpose of this issue was booklets for Fastpost. While initially the stamp was issued in booklets of ten 80c stamps on 31 March 1993, it was followed by a later release in sheet format.
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 a second variety. First Day Covers were not issued for these later two varieties.
First Day Cover - 31 March 1993.
The booklet of 10 x 80c stamps.
Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
You can visit their website and On-line Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/
Allan,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post. I can remember some of these stamps but most of them I have never seen. Such a colourful set and I like the way they are laid out by their dates of issue. One thing I would have liked to have seen is some information about the actual bird themselves. But I can see you main purpose hear was making some kind of order out of an almost random series of issues.
Deanna
Hi Allan
ReplyDeleteAnne just told me about your blog.
Been looking through the various pages.
This is one I like. Seen some of these stamps but didn't know they were a set.
Kirsten
I see the make-over is finished. Looks good.
ReplyDeleteI love the art-work on some of those FDCs
Paul
I can see that a lot of time has been spent on gathering the info, tending the words, and laying it all out. And also for the images. Great presentation.
ReplyDeleteThankyou. Eric