2020 New Zealand Bear Hunt.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, the hearts of New Zealand families have been captured by the phenomenon of the bear hunt. Through the simple act of putting a teddy bear in the window of their homes or other creative locations, New Zealanders have been able to participate in creating a magical experience for kids (and big kids) during a stressful time. 

Presented in a commemorative stamp sheet, six New Zealand households were selected to exemplify the creativity and care put into the bear hunt by and for Kiwis.

The New Zealand Bear Hunt 2020 mint stamp sheet features six stamps showing teddy bears put on display by Kiwis for their communities in April 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. 

The Six Stamps.

$1.30 Theodore Bear

“Theodore Bear and Rudolph [he’s holding the ladder!] have had daily adventures for the local children and my mum has written funny stories for each one that has been shared on local Facebook pages and the Bear Hunt page. It has had such an impact on young and old that mum is now publishing a book with all the photos and stories and is donating the profit to the Foodbank.”

$1.30 Hay Hay Teddy

“[This] idea was not completely original... we had seen something similar in rural Victoria in 2018. We heard about and saw lots of teddies in the windows locally and thought it would be nice to contribute something ourselves. We live on a semi-suburban lifestyle block just 2km out of Darfield and are the only people here with the machinery and the products needed to make Hay Hay Teddy... There are incredible numbers of children and young families who walk or cycle past our gate during the lockdown and it has generated a lot of interest locally.”

$1.30 Lubert

“This is Lubert. He was made especially for me by my Nanna's friend, Mrs Beard. So he is the only one of his type. He came with his very own birth certificate and a blue jersey because everyone guessed I’d be a boy! Mrs Beard passed away a few years [ago], but she made loads of bears for kids in Taupo. Lubert is my most special bear. If there’s an earthquake, I’ll take him because we can’t ever get another Lubert. I think of Lubert as a quiet bear. He likes reading and cuddles. He is a calm bear.

I put Lubert in the window to help other kids feel happy during the lockdown. We are very proud of him.”

$2.60 Little Ted

“Little Ted lives in a house that, thanks to his humans James and Oliver, has a fair few teddies and cuddly toys. But come Lockdown, when all the soft toys learnt of the bear hunt, they realised they had a problem. They couldn't see the lane from their house, thanks to a very long drive. What could they do? How could they not somehow be involved in a NZ wide bear hunt? After much discussion, it was decided the letterbox would provide a fantastic spot to wave to all the children walking and cycling past as well as providing shelter at night. All the soft toys wanted to be chosen for this very special task, but it was decided that the littlest bear was perfect for the job. His family, Louise, David, James and Oliver are very proud that he will now get to be on a stamp! We have all been keeping busy with lots of baking and online learning. But we still get to see Little Ted on our many, many (did I mention many) walks up and down our lane.”

$2.60 Childhood Bear

“This is my childhood bear that is 55 years old. I have had it since a little baby. The fur has been well-worn off with cuddles and adventures. I repaired him myself as a child, and for authenticity have not changed that. The trousers I made as a child and he wears the first scarf I knitted as well. He wears his Poppy, and guts and glory pin, for pride and remembrance of my own Anzac Father taken so young due to agent orange. My teddy has been everywhere I have been in my life, including Christchurch, Burnham, Terendak Commonwealth Forces Military Camp, Malacca, Malaysia, 75B Chua Chu Kang Rd, Singapore, Waiouru, Auckland, Massey University (I am a veterinarian) and all moves since ... when Dad and family were sent to a new job in a new location the Army “posted” Dad & Family to wherever it was. So fitting the bear has become a stamp!”

$2.60 Frontliner Bear

“In this lockdown time I crocheted Frontliner Bear that I put at the window, it is simply to honour the work of our medical workers that working hard at the hospital, hope they still keep their spirit on caring all the patients. The bear is inspired by a crochet designer Aixan Legasto from Yarn It, Darn It who made the pattern of Frontline Hero Bear. This bear is representing and honouring our medical workers that have been working hard for us to be front liners against Covid-19. When I saw the pattern, I have no doubt to grab yarns and hook to make one for NZ Bear Hunt in my local area. I hope by sharing the sweet and cuteness of this bear can put smiles in everybody who sees it in these difficult times.”  

 Technical Information.

Date of issue: 20 May 2020.

The number of stamps: Six gummed stamps.

Denominations: $1.30 x3, $2.60 x3.

Stamps designed: Cam Price, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand.

Printer: Collectables and Solutions Centre, New Zealand Post, Whanganui, New Zealand.

The number of colours: Four process colours.

Stamp size and format: 36.95mm x 37.5mm (vertical).

Sheet size: 260mm x 170mm.

Paper type: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper.

The number of stamps per sheet: Six.

Perforation gauge: 14.4 x 14.615.

Period of sale: Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 19 May 2021.

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)