1988 Definitive 'Native Bird' Issue. Rare Takahe on new definitive stamp. One of New Zealand's endangered species, the colourful Takahe, is featured on the latest $5 Definitive stamp released by New Zealand Post on April 20, 1988. The Takahe, restricted to the Stuart and Murchison mountains of Fiordland National Park, have been the subject of intensive research and management over the past 20 years by the Wildlife Service and now the Department of Conservation. In the 19505 the Takahe population was estimated at 250-300, but by 1980 only 118 remained. Since then the population has increased and, at the last count made in 1985, there were 180 in the Fiordland area. The major cause of their decline was the introduction of deer, as they have eaten out many of the plants preferred by the birds.
An adult Takahe stands 50 cm high and weighs between 2.5 and 3 kg with males weighing more than females. They live in pairs, and are territorial- staying in the same area year after year and moving only when snow cover forces them down the mountain into nearby sub-alpine scrub or forest The Takahe has been known to survive for over 20 years in captivity, but in the wild few live more than 10 years. They compete with red deer for foodboth like broad leafed snow tussock rChionoch/oa flavescens), mid ribbed snow tussock re. pal/ens) and curled snow tussock re. crassiuscu/a). The birds are also threatened by predatory stoats and wekas. Takahe nest from October through to late summer. They build their nests beneath the bowers of overhanging snow tussocks for
shelter. They usually lay two eggs and the incubation, which lasts about 30 days, is shared by parents and possibly juvenile birds. During the first three months parents feed the chicks, but the survival rate is very low with over 70 per cent dying. It is thought that poor nutrition is the probable cause of death, but some birds are killed by stoats and wekas.
Designed by Janet E Marshall of Stratford, the stamps are vertical in format and 29.4 mm x 35 mm in size. There are 50 stamps per sheet in five rows of ten. Plate/Imprint positional blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps. The stamps will remain on sale indefinitely as part of the current definitive range. Orders for First Day Covers close at the Philatelic Bureau, Private Bag, Wanganui on April 20,1988 and covers will also be on sale from selected offices from that date.
Joint Stamp Venture: Australia Post - NZ Post.
A fun stamp picturing a kiwi and a koala bear "brewing up" over a camp fire is part of a New Zealand Post and Australia Post joint venture marking the Australian Bi-Centenary this year. The issue (denomination 40c) highlights New Zealand's special
links with Australia. The stamp will be released on June 21, 1988, and First Day Covers will be available. Similar joint issues will be shared between Australia, Great Britain and the United States. Australia is celebrating its 200th Anniversary of European settlement with a variety of cultural and sporting events as well as the World Expo in Brisbane. It was January 1788 when the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove and the first settlement established there.
As well as the joint venture stamp issue, New Zealand Post is involved in the celebration in other ways too. The Corporation organised a penfriend exchange competition for New Zealand school children. The names of those selected were fed into a bank of computer terminals, part of an interactive entertainment in the Australia Post Pavilion at World Expo in Brisbane. Young Australians can select an overseas penfriend and receive a print out of the selected friend's address and interests. The New Zealand Youth Orchestra, which is sponsored by New Zealand Post, will be playing at the International Festival of Youth Orchestras in Brisbane in August and the 1988 sponsorship money will go towards their travel expenses. During the celebration year Australia Post will issue 25 sets of Australian stamps. Some portray famous Australians and persons intimately associated with the country - monarchs, explorers, political leaders, a poet and a renowned singer. Others depict great events and achievements in sport and technology. The joint venture kiwi-koala bear stamp was designed by Australian artist Roland Harvey of Fitzroy, Victoria. He also designed the First Day Cover. The horizontal
stamp measuring 35 mm x 35 mm was printed by Leigh-Mardon Pty Ltd, Australia by lithography. First Day Covers, which will cost 48 cents, can be obtained by completing a special order form. Orders may be placed and paid for at all New Zealand Post offices from April 21, 1988 to June 21. They may also be bought over the counter from selected offices from June 21, 1988 to June 30, inclusive. Orders for First Day Covers close at the Philatelic Bureau, Private Bag, Wanganui (mail orders) on June 21, 1988. Unless stocks are sold out earlier, this stamp will remain on sale at all Post offices until July 26, 1988 and the Philatelic Bureau, Private Bag, Wanganui (mail orders) and at Philatelic Sales Centres until June 21, 1989.
Australia 1788-1988
1988 Scenic Walkways Stamp Issue. New Zealand
Scenic New Zealand wildemess walkways feature in the 1988 Scenic stamp issue. Four stamps show photographed landscapes from the Milford Track (7OC), Heaphy Track (8OC), Copland Track (85c) and Routeburn Track ($1.30). Photography was by well-known photographers Philip Temple of Little Akaloa, (Milford, Heaphy and Copland stamps), and Andris Apse of Rangiora, (Routebum stamp). Graphic design was by Hamish Thompson of Wellington. A miniature sheet incorporating the Routebum stamp, costing $1.70, also designed by Hamish Thompson, depicts the Mount Aspiring National Park in which the Routeburn is located. A 40C surcharge on each sheet sold will support the New Zealand 1990 World Philatelic Exhibition - the logo of which is shown on each sheet This issue marks the centenary of the discovery of the first practicable land route to Milford Sound, by the explorer Quintin McKinnon. Also, the centenary of the first walking parties to the Milford Sound, guided by McKinnon over the pass named
New Zealand
after him, the McKinnon Pass. Nowadays, over 8000 trampers walk the track each year. The Milford Track today follows much the same route as that taken by McKinnon in 1888. Described as the finest walk in the world, it covers some 55 km between the head of Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound. The track lies wholly within the Fiordland National Park, which covers over one million hectares of alpine wilderness. Adverse weather turns what is always a demanding walk, through native beech forest and over exposed slopes above the bushline, into a hazardous alpine crossing. The Heaphy Track stretches some 78 km through the Northwest Nelson Forest Park. A wide variety of land is viewed on the track, from the coastal forest of the West Coast beaches north of Karamea, through river valleys, steep inland ranges and grassy downs. Before European explorers, perhaps as far back as the 16th Century, the area was traversed by parties of Maoris for purposes such as hunting birds. The first Europeans there were Charles Heaphy, a draughtsman, (after
New Zealand >~
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whom the track is named), and Thomas Brunner, surveyor. Both were employees of the New Zealand Company, exploring the West Coast of the South Island in 1846. The track was subsequently used most by gold prospectors, being surveyed in 1900. Usage declined with the gold fever, until in 1965, with the establishment of the Northwest Nelson Forest Park, the track was upgraded for recreational use. The Copland Track crosses the Southern Alps by the Copland Pass at 2149 metres above sea-level. Crampons, ice-axe and rope are necessary equipment for the crossing. Outside the most favourable season of early December to mid March, it should be attempted only by experienced climbers. The Copland Track lies within the 70,000 hectare Mount Cook National Park, and the adjacent 117,000 hectare Westland National Park. The variety of scenery includes New Zealands highest mountain, Mount Cook, at 3764 metres, the 29 km Tasman Glacier, hot springs and rain forests.
The 39 km Routeburn Track also encroaches on two National Parks, Fiordland and Mount Aspiring. The track follows a major fault line along the Hollyford Valley, and passes through old forests of red, mountain and silver beech, and alpine tussock studded with mountain buttercups and daisies. While there are superb views of the Darran Mountains from the 1277 metre Harris Saddle, the track is exposed and can be impassable.
Gazetted as a National Park in 1964, the 199,000 hectare Mount Aspiring National Park is an area of glaciated mountains and rivers covering a large part of the Southern Alps. The stamps were printed by Leigh-Mardon Pty Ltd, Australia, using lithography. They are produced in sheets of 100, (10 rows of 10). Plate/Imprint positional or value blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps of all denominations.
Two First Day Covers, also designed by Hamish Thompson, will be available. A small cover with all four stamps will cost $3.82 and a large cover with miniature sheet will cost $1.87. Unless sold out previously, the stamps will remain on sale until June 8, 1989 at New Zealand Post offices, the Philatelic Bureau, Wanganui, (mail orders) and Philatelic Sales Centres.
Philatelic Feature Article. Starting in this issue of Focus on New Zealand Stamps is a periodic series of feature articles by well-known philatelic wr~ers. The first is Gerald J Ellott, eminent philatelist and postal historian who is well known both in New Zealand and overseas. As an international judge and exhib~or he has achieved high honours for
Gerald J El/ott
New Zealand philately. He was awarded the FIP Medal for research in 1984, and qualified for the FIP Championship Class in 1986 after being awarded three FIP Large Gold Medals for his entry on New Zealand Postal History. I am honoured to be the first philatelist inv~ed to provide an ~em of topical interest in Focus on New Zealand Stamps. In my opinion, as a keen collector of both New Zealand stamps and New Zealand postal history, and on behalf of thousands of other collectors of New Zealand material, ~ is very important that a New Zealand National Postal
Museum be set up both for future New Zealanders and as a tourist attraction. This, together with the continuation of the tradition of integrity and the good name of New Zealand stamps, should be the foremost aim of New Zealand for the future. It may not be generally known that there are very few surviving postal records, and this makes the proper housing, recording and display of the remaining archives a top priority. All records prior to 1862 were lost in the wreck of the "Wh~e Swan" which was on a passage from Auckland to Wellington via Napier, and was totally wrecked at Uruti, about 17 miles south of Castlepoint, on June 29, 1862. All the postal records still held in Auckland were destroyed in the fire at the Auckland Post Office in 1870. The remaining postal records dated between 1862 and 1887 were lost in the disastrous fire at Wellington Post Office in 1887. The last and more recent fire at the Aotea Quay Store in Wellington on July 14, 1961 destroyed all the records dated from 1887 to 1950. Consequently we should treasure our surviving archives and records and ensure that they do not fall victim to fire, flood or earthquake. Fortunately, some early postal records have been found in other Departmental files. And, through painstaking research by both professional historians like Professor Howard Robinson, who was engaged to compile an official History of the New Zealand Post Office, and postal historians such as Robin Startup and other members of the New Zealand Postal History Society. ~ has been possible to piece together the history of New Zealand Post
This research still continues, as even today there are still large gaps in our knowledge of the early period. These gaps are, of course, getting smaller, but all the time we should be searching out new information to broaden and extend the boundaries of our knowledge. The Post Office has a great her~age and was the initiator of many new industries and extensions of commerce. Extensive mail subsidies were paid to the early shipping companies for carrying the mail; in fact their inception and success has in many cases been on account of the mail subsidies and contracts. The routes from New Zealand to the Un~ed Kingdom via America were all in~iated by the New Zealand Post Office. The early mail routes within New Zealand were by sea; however, inland services were pioneered by the Post Office, and road, rail and air services were developed to meet the needs of the Post Office in better serving the public. The New Zealand Post Office built up over the years since ~s early beginning in 1840, a reputation for excellent service and a realistic stamp issuing programme, and on most occasions has used designs which have received universal approval and acclaim. Consequently the collection and study of New Zealand stamps has attracted both young and old, rich and poor. There have been some very keen students of the New Zealand first issues dating back to the late 18005, and their findings have been recorded in many of the leading contemporary magazines. New Zealand stamps have found favour w~h notable collectors such as Thomas Keay Tapling, Maurice
Wellington General Post Office after destuction by fire - 28 April, 1887. Burrus and His Majesty King George V whose collection is now part of the Royal Collection owned by Queen Elizabeth 11. Probably one of the greatest admirers of New Zealand postal history is Robson Lowe, who has rightly said that postal history is the humanity of our hobby, stamp collecting the fun and philately the science. These are only a few of the names which come to mind, and do not include the well known names of present day collectors both from overseas and New Zealand. Many people have found
pleasure in the study of New Zealand stamps on account of their quality and challenge, but above all, their interest has been maintained over many years because of the high ideals set in producing stamps for this country. New Zealand Post has a proud record of achievement and service spanning over a period of nearly 150 years, and "philatelically" New Zealand is recognised with the highest record both nationally and internationally, and long may it
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) .
Gerald J Ellotl
EDITOR'S NOTE: The importance and value of our postal and philatelic past has been recognised by New Zealand Post A postal and philatelic archive is underway at New Zealand Posts Wellington Headquarters, guided by Archivist Eric Adank.
Olympic Health Issue. The 1988 Health issue events and swimming. Each stamp will, as usual, bear comprising four stamps will be released on July 27. a surcharge of three cents. This year, the stamps will also Revenue from the surcharge helps bear the official New Zealand support the seven Health camps around the Olympic Emblem <?onsisting of the well-known linked ~~(\f\O ('\\\~"" country. circle logo of the Olympic UU f\~~~\:)"l Recreation, Games, surmounted by (\~\\~\)~~ including a variety of the New zealanQd ~~'\\J~\J sporting activities, is fern. \'\l an important part of Olympic ~ .. the Health camps' therapeu1ic regime. sports to be depicted on A miniature sheet the stamps are will also be produced in association with this athletics, canoeing, equestrian issue.
1987 Stamp Collection Album.
000000000000
The New Zealand Stamp Collection Album was a fast selling item. Last year's album, issued in November, had sold ou1 by the end of February. The release of the 1987 collection also stimulated demand for earlier issues. There may still be a few copies left of the 1986 issue bu1 New Zealand Post no longer has stocks of the 1984 or 1985 collections.
..
New Zealand 1990.
! Order Form. I
I
Note: Orders and payments for these To: New Zealand 1990 P.O. Box 4069 items must be forwarded to the address opposite. They are not available from the Auckland Philatelic Bureau. NEW ZEALAND. ITEM
1990 promises to be one of the most exciting and memorable years in the history of New Zealand with a number of world exhibitions and events planned for our 150th year, together with the Commonwealth Games and New Zealand's first World Stamp Exhibition. New Zealand Post has confirmed it will be the major sponsor and is planning to issue various philatelic items in the months leading up to the Exhibition in August of 1990. Newsletter No 1 has been issued with No 2 being released in the near Mure. Bulletin No 1 containing FIP Regulations, together with any special regulations pertaining to New Zealand 1990, is to be released later in the year. Supporting membership forms will be available in the very near Mure. Medals for the Exhibition are in an advanced stage of design and the Executive Committee can promise a medal unique to the history of New Zealand. The souvenir department of New Zealand 1990 continues to offer a full range of interesting items and for more information on these and the Exhibition please write to P.O. Box 4069, Auckland 1. For the tourist, New Zealand can offer many attractions that are unequalled in the world, so plan your holiday to coincide with New Zealand 1990 and you can be assured of a true Kiwi welcome, second to none.
Type
NZ $
No. Req'd
TOTAL $ c
+ Pool/Packing
NZ$2.50
AEROGRAMME No. 1.1OOth Anniversary of the Eruption of Mt. TaraweraJune 10, 1886.
Mint (no stamp)
2.75
"Buried Village" postmark, 45c Bird stamp or Frama.
45c Bird
3.30
Frama
3,30
Unused
3.00
Used-1990 Spec. P/Mark
3.00
RRST DAY COVER No. 11st Exhibition Mini-Sheet on logo cover. "1990" P/Mark 11.6,86
FDC
5.50
Miniature Sheet No. 1
Mint
2.20
FIRST DAY COVER No. 2 - 2nd Exhibition MiniSheet on logo cover. "1990" P/Mark 17.6.87
FOC
6.00
AEROGRAMME No. 2Papal Visit, November 1986. Commemorating Pope John Paul 11 in New Zealand. (Post Office Imprest Stamp 45c)
M/S No. 2 Plated Sheets in numbered Set of 28 UNIQUE SOUVENIR SPOONS - Gold-plated with Exhib~ion logoNew Zealand Penny or Half-penny:
SET
90.00
1 Penny
12.00
V2 Penny
12.00
KIWI STICK PIN-
Silverplated
3.60
PauaShell.
Gold Plated
3.60
CAR STlCKER4 colour design.
100
Total Enclosed
Mail Order Only.
D
Visa
D
Bankcard
D
Amex
D
Diners
Expiry Date
.
Signature
.
Office Use Only
i
I
NAME
:I>D:=D_=R_ESS::::::::::::::::::::::
Special Product Catalogue.
ORDER FORM.
PAYMENT.
SPECIAL PRODUCT CATALOGUE DEPOSIT ACCOUNT NUMBER
Issue Code
For postage purposes Selling the weight Price Number of each TOTAL NZ$ c Reauired rtemis: NZ$ c
1987 First Day Covers Pack
FCP87
$29.34
40gms
1986 Native Birds Presentation Pack
PR494
$7.50
20gms
PR498
$5.00
20gms
1986 Scenery
Presentation Pack 1987 New Zealand Stamp Pack
SP87
$22.14
40gms
1985 Scenery
Presentation Pack
PR482
$3.90
20gms
1985 Native Birds Presentation Pack
PR481
$4.50
20gms
Presentation Pack
PR470
$2.80
20gms
1985 Vintage Trams Presentation Pack
PR480
$3.50
20gms
If you do not have a Philatelic Bureau Customer Account, payment must accompany your order. Remittances must be by INTERNATIONAL Money Order, Bank Draft or British Postal Order. Payments by the credit cards listed below are accepted for orders of NZ$10.00 or more. American and Canadian Inland Money Orders, Australian Inland Postal Money Orders and personal cheques from any overseas country are NOT ACCEPTABLE. Orders for mint stamps must include return postage, plus NZ$2.45 registration fee ij the order is to be sent by registered post Any order will be sent by this means on request but orders containing mint items amounting to NZ$30.00 or more must be registered. CURRENCY CONVERSION RATE, £1 Stg
equals
$2.56 NZ (approxl
$1 Australia
equals
$1.05 NZ (approxl
$1 USA
equals
$1.46 NZ (approx)
$1 Canada
equals
$1.14 NZ (approxl
1985 Skifields
Stamp Booklets: (each book contains ten 40c stamps) Cover design depicts Wellington, New Zealand.
$4.00 tAir/Surlace Postage
IF VALUE OF MINT STAMPS NZ$30 OR MORE
Registration Fee NZ$2.45
tDelete whichever not applicable
TOTAL
ORDERS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: Philatelic Bureau, New Zealand Post, Private Bag, WANGANUI, NEW ZEALAND.
CIId
~-----------&lpllyD* _
FOR OFFICIAL USE Date Opened
Verified
Remittance
A-. CAN UPHIll
Schedule
NlIlII:lIIDdcllDlr8l----------
.....
--------------------------
POSTAGE RATES. (From New Zealand.) ZONE AIR LETTERS.
1st each 10g add.10g
A
80c $1.05
20c 45c
$1.30
50c
B
C
Australia and South Pacific North America and Asia (excluding lhe Middle East) South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East
SURFACE LETTERS. AsIan-Pacific Postal Union - Australia; Bangladesh; Bhutan; China, People's Republic ot, Cook Islands; India; Indonesia; Japan; Korea, Republic of (South); laD, People's Democrabc Republic ot, Malaysia; Maldives; Nauru; Nepal; Niue; Norfolk Island; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Tokelau; Viel Nam, Socialist Republic of and Western Samoa. Up to:
20 9 80c
All other countries: 70C
50 9 80c
1009
250 9
500 9
$1.10
$1.55
$2.85
$5.50
$1.10
$2.15
$4.15
Stamps Available. Stamps are available by mail order from the Philatelic Bureau, Private Bag, Wanganui, or over the counter from the Philatelic Sales Centres at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Rotorua and Gisbome. "ARMS". (Set $24.(0) $6, $8, $1 O. DERNmvES. (Set $20.29) Rocks and minerals 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c, 9c. Fruit 1OC, 2OC, 30<:, 4OC, SOc. Maori Portraits 15c, 25c, 35c, 45c, 6OC. Native Birds 30<:, 4OC, 45c, 6OC, $1, $2, $3, $4. Beehive $5.
STAMP QUANTITIES PRINTED. 1987 TOURISM. 60c 70c BOc 85c $1.05 $1.30
2.15M. 2.15M. 2.15M. 2.15M. 2.15M. 2.15M.
1987 BLUE WATER CLASSICS. 40c BOc $1.05 $1.30
4.7M. 2.5M. 2.5M. 4.7M.
1987 VESTlNG DAY.
GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE. (Set $1.55) 5c, 1OC, 2OC, 30<:, 4OC, SOc. TOKELAU DERNmVES. (Set $4.99) 1s, 2s, 5s, 95, 235, 34s, SOs, 75s, $1, $2.
WITHDRAWALS.
40c 40c
3M. 3M.
1987 AIR FORCE. 40c 70c BOc 85c
10.5M. 2.3M. 2.3M. 2.3M.
Min. Sheet ($2.75) 350,000
1987 SCENIC NATIONAL PARKS.
19 April 1988: $5 Beehive Issue. 3 May 1988: Tokelau (Olympic Sports) Issue. 30 June 1988: SCenic (National Parks) Issue.
70c BOc 85c $1.30
3M. 3M. 3M. 3.5M.
Min. Sheet ($1.70) 330,000 1987 HEALTH (CHILDREN'S ART).
30 June 1988: Health (Children's Artwork) Issue. 30 June 1988: Christmas (Carols) Issue. 30 November 1988: Visual Arts (Fibre) Issue.
4Oc+(3c) 40c+(3c) 6Oc+13c)
Min. Sheet ($2.98) 200,000 1987 CHRISTMAS (CAROLS), 35c 70c 85c
Acknowledgements. 'Focus on New Zealand Stamps' is prepared at New Zealand Post Headquarters, Wellington, and published in April and September each year. Each issue is distributed free to some 60,000 philatelists, both in New Zealand and overseas. Articles may be extracted for reprinting without further permission. Acknowledgement to 'Focus on New Zealand Stamps' would be appreciated. 053
NOTE: Some of the stamps illustrated in this publication are taken from proofs and original artwork and will be subject to minor alterations.
1.5M. 1.5M. 1 M.
2O.9M. 3.9M. 3.8M.
1987 VISUAL ARTS (FIBRE), 40c 60c BOc 85c
10M. 2M. 2M. 2M.
1987TOKELAU (FLOWERS). 5c 18c 32c 48c 60c 75c
.250M. .250M. .250M. .250M. .250M. .250M.
1987 TOKELAU (OLYMPIC SPORTS). 5c 18c 32c 48c 60c 75c
.275M. .275M. .275M. .275M. .275M. .275M.