Recent stamp issues

Christmas 2020

The Christmas stamps for 2020 told the Nativity story through four beautiful stained-glass-windowinspired illustrations, with a magnificent twist.

For the first time ever, New Zealand Post created an interactive experience with stamps. Simply download the Magenta app onto your smartphone and use it to scan each stamp for an augmented reality experience. You’ll be guided through the story as the stamps highlight the annunciation, the birth of Jesus, the star of Bethlehem and the wise men’s gifts.

Date of issue: 4 November 2020 Designer: Jon Ward, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand Printer: Southern Colour Print by offset lithography Withdrawal date: 3 November 2021

2021 Year of the Ox

The 2021 Year of the Ox stamps take inspiration from the Chinese Nianhua poster tradition. These posters are created specifically to commemorate the arrival of a new year. The style of the posters has its origins in woodblock printing made popular during the Ming dynasty. Back then, various motifs were used, from portraits of immortal gods to illustrations of mythical stories and depictions of beautiful babies. By referencing the Nianhua poster, the stamps create a connection between Chinese New Zealanders and the ancient cultural practices of mainland China. Date of issue: 2 December 2020 Designer: Ying-Min Chu, Wellington, New Zealand Printer:Southern Colour Print by offset lithography Withdrawal date: 1 December 2021

Holiday at Home

Take a journey across New Zealand and discover the adventures available in Aotearoa with Holiday at Home. These delightful, retro-chic stamps highlight some of the sights and experiences Kiwis can enjoy in their own backyard. Kiwis country wide are being encouraged to give domestic tourism a go and take the opportunity to discover something they’ve never seen before, be wowed by New Zealand’s spectacular natural wonders or simply find new ways to have fun. While we wait for the world to safely open up again, Kiwis can holiday at home and enjoy the exciting array of activities New Zealand has on offer. With a play on the classic road trip game ‘I spy’, these nine charming stamps highlight some of the major holiday hotspots and hidden gems of Aotearoa New Zealand. Date of issue: 3 February 2021 Designer:Ying-Min Chu, Wellington, New Zealand Printer: Southern Colour Print by offset lithography Withdrawal date: 2 February 2022

2021 marks 35 years since the Homosexual Law Reform Act was passed in New Zealand, a landmark piece of legislation that meant homosexual men could live without fear of prosecution. Pictured on the 2021 Pride stamp, Daniel Quasar’s Progress Pride Flag is an evolution of Gilbert Baker’s six-stripe pride flag, with five arrowshaped lines added to the rainbow flag to focus on the current needs of the community. Date of issue: 3 February 2021 Designer: Cam Price, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand Printer:Southern Colour Print by offset lithography Withdrawal date: 2 February 2022

RNZYS 150

In its 150-year history, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) has kept pace with astonishing developments in yacht design and technology, from the wood-and-cotton era through to the space-age carbon-fibre and titanium materials in use today. Ending with Te Rehutai, the stamps in this collection chart the arc of New Zealand’s sailing history with four key competitive yachts. Date of issue: 3 March 2021 Designer:John Morris, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand Printer: Southern Colour Print by offset lithography Withdrawal date: 2 March 2022

2021 America’s Cup

On 17 March 2021, Emirates Team New Zealand entered the history books with their successful defence of the prestigious America’s Cup yacht race, winning it for a fourth time. On the seventh day of the 36th America’s Cup, the team took out the Auld Mug with a spectacular performance that saw them pull out more than 500 metres ahead of Luna Rossa Prada Perelli. By the final gate, the Kiwis took the right-hand mark 49 seconds ahead of the Italians as they headed off on the last leg of what would become the exhilarating final race. Date of issue: 17 March 2021 Designer:John Morris, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand Printer: Collectables and Solutions Centre, New Zealand Post, Whanganui, New Zealand Withdrawal date: 16 March 2022

Queen Elizabeth II NinetyFifth Birthday

In some countries the monarchy is associated with the rose and thistle, but in New Zealand it is associated with the silver fern and the mānuka flower. The monarchy in New Zealand is a modern, multicultural institution woven into the fabric of the country. In celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 95th birthday and her connection to New Zealand, this set of four stamps depicts Her Majesty through the years. Date of issue: 7 April 2021 Designer:Nicky Dyer, Wellington, New Zealand Printer: Southern Colour Print by offset lithography Withdrawal date:6 April 2022