Year of the Dragon

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The Year of the Dragon is a particularly fortuitous one. Those who are born under this zodiac sign are said to be charismatic, powerful and naturally lucky. It’s said that their disposition naturally draws them towards leadership, and thus they enjoy success, wealth and prosperity.

In fact there is often a baby boom amongst Chinese populations during Dragon years, with families hoping that their ‘dragon babies’ will enjoy their innate luck.

The most recent stamps celebrating the Chinese New Year feature vibrant illustrations that allude to the history of the Chinese community in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Longevity Noodles

The story of Ping Xiao, founder of Eden Noodles on Dominion Road, Auckland.

Eden Noodles was founded by Ping Xiao. Her bustling cafe makes more than 400 dumplings and 60 kilograms of noodles daily. This stamp depicts a dragon spilling forth from a fern-laden bowl of noodles, mixing Kiwi and Chinese iconography. Noodles are often eaten during Chinese New Year, their lengths representing wishes for long and prosperous lives.

Garden of Prosperity

The story of the market gardeners Madame Joong and Ah Chee.

Madame Joong and Ah Chee made their home as market gardeners at the Kong Foong Yuen Garden of Prosperity. Their business was extremely successful and the couple became well regarded in high society. In this stamp, a dragon aids a toddler in harvesting a Chinese cabbage, emblematic of market gardeners’ contribution to New Zealand horticulture.

Below: Christine Lovett from NZ Post Collectables with a 2024 Year of the Dragon first day cover at the 2024 Chinese New Year Festival in Auckland; 2024 Year of the Dragon $2.00 Longevity Noodles stamp, $3.30 Garden of Prosperity stamp, $4.00 Land of Good Fortune stamp, $6.90 Festive Fireworks stamp

Land of Good Fortune

The 1865 gold rush in Otago.

In 1865, the gold rush in Otago attracted miners from Canton, China. New Zealand was promoted as an undiscovered trove of wealth and abundance. These gold miners came to escape poverty and build fortunes for their families in China. This stamp displays cherubs holding mining tools, their work guarded by the watchful eye of a dragon.

Festive Fireworks

The story of Thomas Wong Doo and the Doo family fireworks business.

Thomas Wong Doo, born in Canton around 1903, was a well-known merchant in Auckland, especially for selling fireworks. His family’s shop was an important space for the Auckland Chinese community, and he founded his own shop on Hobson Street in 1940. This stamp depicts a puppet-like dragon, with starbursts of fireworks exploding in the distance.

2024 Year of the Dragon was issued on 6 December 2023. Stamps and first day covers will remain on sale until 5 December 2024.