1998 Town Icons

       A few months ago I completed a post on town icons around New Zealand called 2014 Legendary Landmarks. This post looked at 18 famous town icons - landmarks that defined what the town was famous for. I enjoyed doing that post and learnt a lot about various parts of New Zealand in the process.
       Now when Allan began researching for his Heritage Series he found that in 1998 there had been another stamp issue featuring town icons. In this case only 10 town landmarks had been shown in what are big colourful stamps. Actually I think these 10 stamps are better than the 18 from 2014.

These 10 adhesive stamps appeared on a plain white sheet from which they could be peeled off to be placed on envelopes for postage. As can be seen above, they all carried the same value of 40c but came in three different sized stamps. Also notice how the value appears in a shield shape similar to the signs used to define state and regional highways throughout New Zealand.

Below we can see the First Day Cover that was created for this issue. I really like that special cancelation in the form of a cross-road sign post.



          

40c - Gore's Brown Trout.

 Gore's giant brown trout leaps from giant rocks at the northernmost entrance to the town's main shopping area. It is 6.5 metres tall and weighs one tonne.

40c - Kaikoura's Crayfish.

 Kaikoura has long been associated with crayfish. In fact the word translates as 'eat crayfish'. Determined to remind everyone that the cray was the town's traditional icon, Annette Paterson, the proprietor of the Suntrap Restaurant and Takeaways, built this massive seven metre-long crustacean over the entrance. 

          

40c - Te Kuiti's Shearer. 

 Having produced more than its fair share of Golden Shears Open and New Zealand Shearing Championships winners over the years, Te Kuiti claims to be 'The Shearing Capital of New Zealand'. This 6 metre tall roadside shearer celebrates that status.

40c - Napier's Pania.

See our post Pania of the Reef.

 Napier's Pania of the Reef was inspired by a Maori legend. Pania was a member of the Sea People but met a human named Karitoki and left the waters to live on land with her lover. When it was discovered her husband had betrayed her the sea-people lured her back to their world, and would not let her return to the land and the man she loved.

         

40c - Riverton's Paua Shell.

 This giant shellfish on the roadside at Riverton was originally intended to draw attention to a local family's souvenir shop, which specialises in paua products. Since then, the four metre high shell has taken on a new status, and is now seen by many to represent the entire town.

40c - Te Puke's Kiwifruit.

 This gigantic slice of kiwifruit was one of the country's earliest big roadside icons and can be found in Te Puke - the self-appointed 'Kiwifruit Capital of the World'.

           

40c - Lake Tekapo's Border Collie.

 The area around Lake Tekapo was, in part, made viable as a farming area by the wonderful sheep-herding abilities of border collies. This bronze sheepdog, on the lookout near the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo, is often referred to as Friday - a border collie famous in local mythology.

40c - Hawera's Cow.

 Hawera's 'Big Cow' can be found two kilometres south of the township, on the corner of Whareroa Road and State Highway 3. The 'Big Cow' also draws attention to the Dairyland Visitors Centre and Cafe, and Kiwi Dairies' manufacturing site. 

          

40c - Ohakune's Carrot. 

 The Ohakune region produces two-thirds of all the carrots grown in the North Island. Local carrot growers were determined to celebrate this achievement. They did so by rescuing and relocating a 9 metre tall carrot built as a prop for a television commercial.

40c - Paeroa's L&P Bottle. 

 Paeroa spring water was first sold in the late 1880s by the Paeroa Natural Mineral Water Company. Later owners added lemon essence to make Lemon and Paeroa. Today those entering the town are greeted by a seven metre tall L & P bottle.

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

You can visit their web site and On-line Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/