OUR
C 0 V E R
S T A MP
Part 01 the 1940 Dominion
Centennial of New Zealand issue, the twopence stamp shown here commemorated the discovery of
New Zealand by Abel Tasman.
On the cover of our 10th issue of Focus, we feature a detail from a stamp which pays tribute to one of the great explorers of all time.
In 1642 Abel Tasman set off from his homeland of Holland in search of new and profitable trading partners for his country and on December 13th of that year, he Sighted New Zealand. The significance of this event earned Abel Tasman a place in a special stamp issue released in 1940 to celebrate the centenary of our becoming a Dominion. Along with Tasman the issue featured: • The arrival of the Maori
• Progress of transport
• Cook's rediscovery of
• Hoisting the flag, Akaroa
New Zealand
• First shipment of
• One hundred years under the
British crown
frozen mutton
• Maori Council
• Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
• Gold mining
• Immigrants at Petone
• Ciant Kauri
Because of the historic nature of most of these subjects, a great deal of care was taken to source authentic reference material from
which designers could work. In the case of the complex Tasman stamp pictured above, artists were supplied with photographic copies of a chart from Tasman's journal, a portrait of Tasman taken from the Turnbull Library in Wellington and assorted illustrations of Tasman's ship the 'Heemskerck'.
.r' .( ~ -.
i
,
).
.f
\
New Zealand Post V(lm~lIt/('CfJlli'r"f"",
~ 2
G U EST
COLUMN
S T
Dear Stamp Enthusiast, It will come as no surprise to stamp collectors that there are a
considerable number of people outside New Zealand who are interested in the stamps and postal history of that country. In January 1952 a number of enthusiasts met in Fleet Street, London and founded the New Zealand Society of Great Britain. From those small beginnings, the society has grown to become one of the largest specialist philatelic societies in the United Kingdom. It has attracted collectors from all over the world from the general to the highly specialised. Its membership includes many famous New Zealand philatelists and the Society currently has three members who are signatories to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. The strength of the Society, however, rests with its general members, many of whom give sterling service as officers of Allan P. Berry,
the Society. Many have contributed to the literature, particularly the
Editor of "The Kiwi",
the journal of 'The
volumes of "The Postage Stamps of New Zealand". The Society
New Zealand Society
itself has been involved in two publications, the most recent
of Great Britain'.
being "New Zealand - a Philatelic Miscellany" which was published in 1990 as a souvenir volume commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Every member receives "The Kiwi", a regular journal
containing articles of both general and specialised interest.
The New Zealand Society of Great Britain is affiliated to both the British Philatelic Federation and the New Zealand Philatelic
Federation.
In
addition,
cordial
relations
are
maintained with New Zealand Post whose support is much appreciated. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in
New Zealand philately and postal history.
If you would like to know more about our Society then
n
please write to the address at right. Yours sincerely
\.......--P ~
Tht Hon. Grnc:rill Srcreluy Mrs M.ugilrcl Frilnkcom
Queens House:
HA Turul SI
~ Allan P. Berry F.R.P.S.L., F.R.P.S.N.Z.
Arundc:l West Sussu RN 18 90J ENGLAND
BUTTERFLIES 6
All
through
Novemb~"
THE
child-
hood we are fasci-
nated with vibrant
COLOURFUL
CREATURES
the For est Ri n g I e
colours
I
(Dodonidia he/in-
and graceful flit-
sii) The most vividly coloured of
ting movements of
all New Zealand butterflies, its
butterflies.
flight is distinguished by its fast jauntiness. It has a wing span of
For many the process of metamor¡
between 40 and 60mm and can
phosis from chrysalis
•
199/
be found in clearings and forest
to butterfly is eagerly
margins. Its favourite food plants
studied.
are forest sedges and forest
These fascinating
snowgrasses.
insects replace some of the present 'Birds' series
Sou the r n B I u e
of definitives.
otis
In New Zealand there
ox/ey;)
(Zizina
This
tiny,
are hundreds of species of moth and just over 20 species
weakly about, just above ground level,
of butterfly. They live in areas ranging
creature
but
abundant
stuttering
and
flutters
stopping
frequently.
from forest floors and swamps, to gardens,
It can be found east of the Southern
forests and rocky alpine
Alps and in North Canterbury, thriving in
areas.
warm, dry places below 1,000 metres.
To the
(Bassaris
expert there
which distinguish
feeding
a butterfly from
food, stinging
less experienced is one
voraciously
on its favourite
a moth. To the there
ilea)
strong flier can be seen
are many factors
nettle. With a wing span of
sure
way to tell them apart; look
50mm it prefers open
for tiny knobs on the end of
country,
the antennae - in New Zealand,
wastelands
and
gardens. The Yellow Admiral is
only butterflies have them.
often kept company by the Red Admiral.
4
s
THE
SUE
NEW ZEAlAND $2
$1 NEW ZEAlAND
NEW ZEAlAND $3
J f'1
COLLECTORS
NOTES
Designed
by
Wellington.
Printed by Leigh-Mardon
Pauline
Morse
of
Pty Ltd, Australia. Stamps are vertical in format and measure 29.4mm x 35mm. IIIIIIII1111111111111111111111111111111111
A
F
F 0 R
R S T
cKl A H o R E
A U
N 0 R T H
S
N D
S
Later this month (October) Auckland's North Shore Philatelic Society will break new ground when
it
stages its
0< tobt:r ]5 18th
first
L/C'tlfldd C C'ntre'
National exhibition - Shorex '91 .
Nurth Shore' C,tv
The Shorex logo at right incorporates a stylised illustration taken from a stamp which is of particular significance for North Shore philatelists. The illustration you see is based on a class of yacht named
'T aka puna' which featured in the 195\ Health stamp issue. As
this
year
NEW marks
the
ZEALAND
fortieth
anniversary of that issue, it is appropriate
Note: Original artwork, proofs and
that it should appear in the exhibition
stamps from this issue will be on display
logo.
from New Zealand Post's archives.
5
N A V
GATORS 11 March. 1991
1992 marks the anniversary of two
imagine the endurance and hardship
significant voyages. Next year's Naviga-
explorers of those times overcame.
these
In wooden boats, barely 50 metres
anniversaries and pays tribute
long, they spent months on end at sea,
issue
commemorates to
the
achievements
often combating illness and in some cases
of two of history's most
mutiny amongst the crew.
foremost
Their
primitive
and
somewhat
unreliable method of navigation using
navigators and
only the stars, links the discovery of New Zealand and the Americas. While in search of Asia, Columbus discovered America by mistake, thinking it to be China. Similarly, Abel Tasman discovered New Zealand while looking for a route to South America.
ABEL TASMAN Ab e I
J a n s zoo n
Ta s m a n
first
sighted land off the coast of Greymouth from his flagship the 'Heemskerck' which was accompanied by his other ship, the 'Zeehaen'. Despite thiS, neither he nor any of his crew set foot on New Zealand soil
and
it
was
left
untouched
by
Europeans until Captain James Cook landed in 1769. Tasman spent around three weeks
explorers.
Firstly, it marks the
charting the west coast of New Zealand's
350th anniversary of the
North and South Islands, yet he failed to
sighting of New Zealand by
detect the passage of water separating the
Tasman in 1642. Secondly, it
two and which is now called Cook Strait.
commemorates Christopher Columbus'
Additionally, it wasn't until his later
discovery of the Americas in 1492.
voyage to Java via the Pacific Ocean that
Modern
communications,
he discovered New Zealand was not part
technol-
ogy and jet air travel make it difficult to
of Australia.
6
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS
In 1402 Columbus set off from Portugal
many islands in the West Indies and the
in search of China. His first glimpse of the
Caribbean.
Americas was San Salvador, although at
COLLECTORS
the time, he thought he had reached his
Designed by Geoff Fuller of Havelock
intended destination.
The expedition involved three ships: The
'Santa Maria',
NOTES
which
North. Printed by Joh. Enschede en
Columbus
Zonen of The Netherlands by lithography. All four stamps are horizontal and
captained, the 'Pinta' and the 'Nin â&#x20AC;˘. Columbus' other discoveries include
measure 28mm x 39mm.
IIIIIIII11111111111I111
s
THE
SUE
Heemskerck 45e
Zrehaen SOc
Santa Maria S 1.00
Pinta and Nina SI. 50
7
s
I N T R 0
Due E
T A MPS
AND
A
F R I
C0 l l
E
T 0 C T I B l E S
E N D
Do you know somebody who has similar interests to you ... someone who would
enjoy
reading
illustrated,
all
the
informative
beautifully
material
you
receive about stamps and collectibles,
including 'Focus? Perhaps
you
know
of
someone
who would enjoy and learn from the opportunity to start their own collection.
Then give them the chance
to
join
our mailing list by completing the card at right and returning it to us.
COMPLETE AND MAIL THIS CARD
IIIIIIII1I11111111111111111111111111111111
0 R D
E R
S T A MPS
Y 0 U R
C 0 l l E C T I B l E S
THE
A
E A S Y
ND WAY
After each order is filled,
Open a customer account with us and
you'll
make ordering quicker and easier from
receive a statement of the credit remaining
now on.
in your account. So send now for your customer account application. It couldn't
HaVing a customer account means
you don't have to enclose payment each
be easier!
time you send us an order. Instead, you
simply make a deposit into an account held in your name at the Bureau. Then each
time
you
order
simply
quote
your
customer number and authorise us to debit your account.
COMPLETE AND MAIL THIS CARD TO RECEIVE YOUR CUSTOMER ACCOUNT APPLICATION.
8
NEW
NAME
REFLECTS PHILATELY THE
N
'90S
ThiS month marks the beginning of a new era for philately in New Zealand. For from now on New Zealand Post Philatelic will be known as New Zealand Post Stamps and Collectibles.
This
new
name
reflects
our
commitment to broadening the appeal of
A
TONGUE-TWISTER FOR
The
word
stamp collecting. However, it does not
YOUNGSTERS 'philatelic'
connotations and for
has many
alter our traditional services, the products we offer or the nature of our organisation
specialist
in any way.
would¡be
collectors is a little daunting. Indeed, some of our younger collectors even have
A
trouble pronouncing the name of their
As you
hobby!
accompanied by a new logo.
At New Zealand Post we recognise the
importance
of
encouraging
needed.
The
name
the
new
name is
and despatches your orders, we will also receive the new look treatment.
more descriptive and less intimidating was
will see,
RING
Here at the Bureau which processes
new
collectors - in particular, youngsters, so a name
FAMILIAR
However, we will retain part of our
New
previous
name
to
honour
the
long
Zealand Post Stamps and Collectibles
established relationship we have with our
was chosen.
customers. Our logo will look like this:
One of the reasons is that it more accurately describes our activities. The name also makes stamp collecting more
New Zealand Post Stamps arid Col/ectib/es
appealing and accessible to beginners and
Philatelic Bureau
children.
9
ANTARCT Ro<"
SEA l S
C
D~p~ndt'nc)' {HUr-,
8 April. 1991
The ice cold waters of New Zealand's
deceptive quickness on land enables it to
suhantarctic
skilfully hunt and eat penguins.
regions,
and
the
harsh
Antarctic itself, are home to many different
water with just its nostrils visible.
species of seal who thrive in the icy water
temperatures.
5e a I
In general, seals do not hunt or fight
collectively.
outside the family, preferissue
feature
six
of
of
these
lifestyle
is
the fea-
tures of this rare
When
dis-
turbed it emits an unusual tremulous coo-
ing, followed by clicks
characteristics. While they in
noises
one
seal.
with distinctive habits and differ
of
just
we
hardy creatures - each
may
series
distinguishing
ring life as a loner. this
(Ommata-
TOssi) A strange
They
avoid forming social bonds
In
The
Leopard can often be seen hanging in the
and a snort. The Ross Seal
and
prefers living on the pack ice off the
appearance, all depend on a land mass to
Antarctic coast.
breed their young.
SOU I her n El e p h ant 5 e a I (Miro-
THE Wed dell
ISSUE
unga leonina) The largest of all seals, the
5 e a I (Leptonychotes wed-
adult males grow to up to seven metres and
delli) This loner seal is rarely seen in New
can
Zealand, choosing instead to spend winter
particularly distinctive with his inflatable
weigh
four
tonnes.
The
bull is
below the ice, bUilding up reserves for the
trunk and large incisors. In the mating
summer. Its distinctive features include a
season his harem may include up to 80
rotund, blotchy body and small head.
cows.
C r a b eat e r 5 e a I (Lopodon
car-
Hook e r s
5ea
L ion
(Phocarctos
cinophagus) Surprisingly, the abundant
hookeri) The Hookers Sea Lion is New
Crabeater does not eat crabs. Rather, it
Zealand's only endemic seal and lives
dines on lobster hill, which early sealers
mostly on New Zealand's subantarctic
mistook to be crabs. It prefers to live in
islands - in particular Enderby Island in the
large groups, unlike many seals, and can be
Auckland Islands group.
found amongst the drifting pack ice. Leo par d
The
5 e a I (Hydrurga leptonyx)
large,
dark
brown
male
is
distinguished by his coarse mane of hair, the
This aggressive lillle seal is distinctive for its
female is creamy white while the pups are
smallish body and huge, spoiled head. Its
chestnut in colour.
10
COLLECTORS'
NOT ES
Designed by Lindy Fisher of Auckland.
Colour Print, Dunedin. All six stamps are
Printed
horizontal and measure 35mm x 30mm.
by
lithography
by
Southern
111111111111111111111111",111111111111111
A
wo
R l D
F I
S
o
RS T
N
M A
l
R TIN G
Early next year New Zealand Post will
The system which is being developed
introduce a mail sorting system which will
by AEG Electricom of Germany, takes a
revolutionise the speed with which mail
video picture of each envelope then matches the figures it sees with a bank of
is sorted.
The Optical Character Recognition Letter will
Sorting
sort
Machine
characters to 'read' the address.
(OCR/LCR)
machine-addressed
Parcels, large envelopes and most hand-addressed envelopes will continue
even without postal codes - at the rate
to be sorted by hand. However, because
of 30,000 an hour; a vast improvement
overall sorting time is reduced, users will
on the hand-sort rate of around 2,000
ultimately be able to post mail later and
an hour.
take advantage of later close-off times. 11
H E l P I N G T H E
T E A M T
T
o
o
S E N D
B A R C
o
l
E
N A
One of the most significant recent
relationships with its customers and to
undertakings by New Zealand Post is its
show New Zealand that the company
sponsorship of the 1992 Olympic Games.
embodies the Olympic ideals of Speed! Excellence and Integrity.
New Zealand Post, in association
with the United States Postal Service and
The sponsorship has created many
some 30 other postal administrations, is an
exciting opportunities for New Zealand
official sponsor of the Winter Olympics
Post. Here are just two of them,
in
Albertville
Olympics
in
(France), Barcelona
and Summer (Spain).
The
company is also an active member of the
New Zealand Olympic Club and sponsor of the New Zealand Cycling Team. As a company of 8200 staff, the sponsorship gives New Zealand Post an opportunity to build staff commitment to
the
New
Zealand
Post 'team
The winning design. Please note the face \'iflut: of
effort'
the actual stamp will be 45c.
by identifying with a successful national
DESIGN
sports team and a successful national
A STAMP
One of the first Olympic projects to be
effort.
implemented was the Olympic Stamp
It also gives New Zealand Post
Design
opportunities to build new and better
Competition,
which
invited
entrants to submit deSigns for a special
Olympic stamp
to
be issued in 1992. Over
500 entries were received. The 10 finalist entries were
published in the "Listener" magazine and the public was invited
to
vote
for
their
favourite. For their trouble, voters were entered in a draw
to win one of 10 'Taste of Spain' hampers containing an
array of Spanish delicacies. In total 6,118 votes were received
and the eventual winning deSign was
by
Sheryl
Invercargill.
12
McCammon
of
Her design depicts the silhouetted shapes
of
five
sprinters
leaving
their
blocks with each athlete representing one of the five colours of the Olympic rings. Olympic Stamp Design Competition winner Sheryl McCammon receiving her cheque for 55,000 from Carry Wilson, New Zealand POSt
Sales and Retail Croup Mafla/Jl'r.
IIIIIIII111111111111111
ol
Y MP I
C P E N PAL
I N T ER N A T I
In
oNAl
June this year, New Zealand Post
launched
a
programme
which
C l U B C R EAT E S F R I E N D S HIP S special membership pack containing Pen
will
Pal stationery, a photo postcard, official
introduce thousands of school children
membership card and badge, tips on letter
to pen pals throughout the USA.
writing and a range of other items essential
Called The Olympic Pen Pal Club',
to being an Olympic Pen Pal.
the concept is the brainchild of the United
The
programme
is
deSigned
to
States Postal Service. New Zealand is one
encourage youngsters to spend morc time
of
writing, while also teaching them about
a
number
of
international
postal
life in another country.
administrations invited to participate in
an effort to match 600,000 American
By closing date some 50,000 children
youngsters with as many pen pals.
To
find
members
locally,
had applied; well in excess of the original New
estimated response of 25,000.
Zealand Post has, through schools, issued an invitation to all 8 to 12 year aids to join
Graeme Sheaf,
the club. Each club member will receive a
co¡ordinaror of rhe Olvmpic
Pl'l!
Pal Club,
with just some of the 50,000 applicoltiOrlS reCf.."ived.
,3
s
CA
A MER
s
CUP
SUE
11)ilnudry, /991
One of the world's great sporting
The IACC yachts are 20 per cent longer,
regattas is about to happen and it will be
30 per cent lighter and have 40 per cent
commemorated by a special stamp issue.
more sail area than the 12 metre yachts
From January to May 1992 New Zealand
used in Cup matches from 1958 to 1987.
will be challenging the rest of the world
They are predicted to be about
~
for the right to take the America's Cup
25 per cent faster than a
away from Dennis Canner and
metre
in
most
wind
conditions. A crew of 17,
bring it to New Zealand. America's Cup 1992 will be the
including an owner's repre-
28th defence of the America's Cup,
sentative
is
required,
and
international
because of the combination of
sport. The Cup, 27 inches high and
lightness, size and sail area the
made of 134 ounces of silver, was first
demands on the crew are more
awarded in 1851.
physically taxing than with the
the oldest trophy in
SAN
12 metre yachts.
DIEGO
FINE NEW
SPECTACULAR
ZEALAND
The Cup winner will be(
SQUAD
decided by a "best-of-seven"
The New Zealand Chal-
match to be sailed off San American
lenge team is managed by the
team representing the San Diego
renowned Peter Blake and includes
Diego
Yacht
between
Club
an
and
a
many
single
Challenger. The Challenger will be determined
in
the
Challenger
Cup"
New
Zealand's
Barnes and Russell Coutls. KZ7, "Kiwi Magic", captured
Selection Series "The Louis Vuillon
of
finest yachtsmen, such as David
which
the imagination of the whole
place from February to April
when
New
Zealand
1992. It is the aim of the
mounted its first challenge for
Mercury Bay Boating Club
the America's Cup in 1986/87. For the 1992 Challenge there is
for New Zealand to be that Challenger.
a 13 month build up for the
By mutual agree-
60 member team in San Diego. Sir Michael
ment all Challengers
Fay
and the Defender will compete in the new
says, "Never have our chances been so
75 foot high-tech International America's
good, the Cup is within our sights. Now is
Cup Class (IACC) mono-hull yachts.
the time to go for it".
14
SURVEY
P R
Z E W
N N E R
Taking time out to complete a New Zealand Post survey has paid off for an Auckland collector, Mrs Barbara Streeter. On purchasing her New Zealand Stamp Collection 1990, she completed a short
Mrs Srreerer receives her cheque and
purchaser's survey, went in the draw to
congrarulations From Mr Remit: Joyce, Manager of the Auckland Sales Cenrre.
win 52,000 - and won.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I. Write your title (ie Mr, Mrs ele), and full name and address on a piece of paper. For example: Air John Smith ..,2A Dowling Road
"Focus" is prepared at New Zealand Post Headquarters, WeJlinglOn, and published in April and September each year. Each issue is distributed hee to some' 100,000 stamp collectors, both in ew Zuland and overseas. Articles may be extracted for reprinting without further ~rmission. Acknowledgements to "Focus" would be appreciated.
NAP/ER Indicate that you wish to be included on the mailing list.
NOTE: Some of lhe m.mps illuumed in lhis publiulKln ire 'oIhn from proofs and original ..n ...·ork and molY be subit<:11O alteralions.
2. Place in an envelope and mail to: 8iSH Umuroi M<lnager Philatelic Bureau New Zealand Post Ltd Private Bag WANGANUI NEW ZEALAND
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MPORTANT
ADDRESSES
NEW ZEALAND POST STAMPS AND COLLECTIBLES RETAIL OUTLETS
INTERNATIONAL REP R ES EN TATI V ES
De Rosa International S.A., Avenue du Tribunal Federal 34 • CH I OOS Lausaune, SWITZERLAND
Auddand Queen Elizabeth 11 Square Downtown Shopping Centre Telephone 0-9-309-6343
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Christchurch 0- Chief POSt Shop Telephone 0-3-531-771
Nordfrim, DK 5450, Ouerup, DENMARK Harry Alien, PO Box 5, Watford, Hens WE 25 SW, E GLAND
Rotorua CI- Chief Post Shop Telephone 0-7-349-2397
Richard Borek GmbH, Postfach 3220, W BOO Braunschweig, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY British &: Overseas Philatelic Agency Ltd, PO Box 80, Shibuya, Tokyo [50·91, JAPAN
Wellington C/- Manners Street POSI Shop, Manners Street Telephone 0-4-736-128 Telephone 0-4-473-6128 after October 25 1991
Unicover Corporation, One Unicover Cenh:r, Cheyenne. Wyoming 82008-0001 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
New Zealand Post Stamps tmd Collectibles 15
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