Focus magazine number 74, October 2022

In memory of Queen Elizabeth II Christmas IHC Art Awards The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 20th Anniversary

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Kia ora, welcome!

Welcome to the second issue of Focus for 2022.

On 9 September, New Zealanders woke to the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. Despite being a day most New Zealanders would have expected to live through, it came as no less of a shock that the only monarch in most people’s living memories would now be laid to rest.

NZ Post’s history of commemorating the monarch goes right back to the first-ever stamp issue - the Queen Victoria ‘fullface Queens’ of 1855. Since then, Queen Victoria’s successive heirs have made their own appearances on our stamps, and in the lives of many. On pages 4-6 we take a look back at some of the stamp issues that have featured Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II and the many milestones of her life and reign.

Earlier this year we celebrated the reopening of our borders to all international visitors with a special stamp sheet. Tourism is an essential part of New Zealand’s economy, and after two years of relying on domestic travellers to keep business thriving, many businesses will have been relieved to receive some enthusiastic new people looking for a special experience in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This year one of our programmed stamp issues celebrated the achievements of some special New Zealanders. IHC is a support service for people from all walks of life who have autism and intellectual disabilities, and the IHC Art Awards are a highlight of the annual calendar. NZ Post Collectables Programme Manager Lynette Townsend was invited to attend the opening of the pop-up gallery in Wellington, where she got to see some of the incredible artworks up close.

This year we released the second installment in our The Lord of the Rings 20th Anniversary series. Last year, two of Auckland art collector Sandra Killen’s interests came together in harmony when she learned that artist Sacha Lees was creating The Lord of the Rings stamps and coins for NZ Post. She’s shared some insights into the life of a collector.

This year, our Christmas stamps were issued in October. Although this might have felt a little early, we were excited to give everyone the opportunity to get their Christmas cards and letters in the post with plenty of time to spare. We spoke to the issue’s designer, Donna McKenna, about her design approach, her many artistic talents, and her ideal Christmas.

NZ Post played a crucial part in the creation of New Zealand’s national distance-education service, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022. Formerly known as The Correspondence School, today Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) is New Zealand’s largest school, with more than 25,000 students on the roll each year. Our June stamp issue commemorated this milestone with a set of four stamps looking back at Te Kura’s early decades.

For over a decade, NZ Post has created stamp issues for Niue and Tokelau. Sadly, these contracts have now ended, and we have closed our stamp programmes for both nations.

Finally, you can check out all our latest stamp and coin issues, meet another NZ Post designer, and find out more about some upcoming New Zealand stamp exhibitions and the dates to put in your diary.

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• Artwork and articles from Focus may not be extracted for reprinting without prior permission from NZ Post Collectables. For more information and to request permission, please contact the Programme Manager, NZ Post Collectables, Private Bag 39990, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045, New Zealand.

Nau mai, hoki mai

On 31 July 2022, New Zealand reopened its borders to all visitors. Prior to 2020, tourism had been a thriving industry and one of the largest contributors to our economy.

For more than two years, New Zealanders lived under unprecedented circumstances. For the most part they took it on the chin, sharing in a mutual understanding that following public health measures, however extreme they felt, were for the common good.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, life has begun to feel a little closer to normal, if not entirely the same as it was. Following a steady increase since March 2022, in July overseas visitor arrivals exceeded 100,000 for the first time since New Zealand’s borders closed in March 2020. Today, New Zealand remains a bucket-list destination for people all over world.

So what brings visitors to Aotearoa New Zealand? For decades we relied on a reputation for top-knotch adventure tourism –bungee jumping, sky diving, white-water rafting and Zorbing, anyone? New Zealand in the new millennium was redefined as the home of Middle-earth, as the international success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy brought Tolkein fans looking for their own pieces of movie and literary history. The films also provided a stunning advertisement for New Zealand’s natural landscapes, which include majestic mountains, fantastical fiords and picturesque pasture. With the recent addition of the Hobbit trilogy and a permanent Hobbiton attraction, the films’ allure has continued into the 2020s.

New Zealand is also home to Māori, and visitors often take the chance to encounter a unique, storied culture. People unfamiliar

with New Zealand or Māori are likely to have encountered the All Blacks’ haka, which has often piqued the interest of rugby fans. They can venture to Paihia, Northland where Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed in 1840, and learn about how New Zealand was colonised in the 19th century, and how agreements were established between the British Crown and tangata whenua (the people of the land). In places like Rotorua, visitors are welcomed to experience some touchstones of Māori culture through performing and practical arts, kai (food) and cultural practices.

Visitors can experience New Zealand’s incredible natural wonders first hand through numerous walking and cycling trails. They can also hike (called tramping in these parts) in short stints or for days on end by camping or staying in Department of Conservation huts for a few dollars a night.

Tiaki - Care for New Zealand was created through the collective desire of organisations throughout New Zealand’s tourism sector to share their connections to the natural world, and inspire and help visitors to travel safely and conscientiously.

The Tiaki Promise is a challenge and commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations. By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand - to act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.

Welcome Back was issued on 1 June 2022. The stamp sheets will remain on sale until 31 May 2023.

In memory of Queen Elizabeth II

It

with great sadness that NZ Post acknowledges the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and our sympathies to all who are grieving, reflecting on and processing the loss of the Queen and the end of the second Elizabethan era.

NZ Post has a long history of commemorating the Royal Family and the Monarch, beginning with Queen Victoria on New Zealand’s first-ever stamps in 1855.

Born on 21 April 1926, Elizabeth became heir to the throne when her father became King upon the abdication of his brother Edward VIII in December 1936. On 20 November 1947 she married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh. When King George VI died on 6 February, 1952, Elizabeth acceded to the throne at the age of 25.

On 25 May 1953, stamps were issued to mark Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Along with a portrait of the new Queen, the ‘Buckingham Palace’ stamp featured the London residence of Britain’s sovereigns. Queen Victoria was the first British monarch to live there, moving into the palace immediately after her accession to the throne.

1855 Full Face Queens single 2d ‘Blue’ gummed stamp (imperforate)

1937 Coronation single 1d ‘Red’ gummed stamp

Coronation single 2d ‘Buckingham Palace’ gummed stamp.

The first visit to New Zealand by a British sovereign took place when Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1953 and two special stamps were issued to mark the event. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth had been scheduled to visit, but the King died before their postponed visit was able to take place. Because it was proposed to issue a Coronation set as well as the new definitive set with Her Majesty’s portrait, approval was given for only two stamps to commemorate the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s visit.

In 1954 the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department issued a large set of Queen Elizabeth II stamps, after it was decided that the stamps depicting the late King should be replaced as soon as possible. The set featured two designs by L C Mitchell in various colours, and one illustration by J Berry. Owing to a shortage of stamps, the 1 1/2d stamp was issued in December 1953 prior to the other values. A redrawn issue of the stamps was issued in 1955 because of criticism of the denomination on the original low values, and that the colours of the original 3d and 8d stamps had been too similar.

A special set of ‘official’ stamps was also issued in 1954. It was agreed that the stamps should be distinct in appearance from those used for ordinary correspondence. The stamps depicted an informal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II set against a pattern made up of the letters ‘N’ and ‘Z’.

1953-1954 Queen Elizabeth II single 9d ‘Brown/Green’

1954

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gummed stamp

1955 Queen Elizabeth II single 8d ‘Queen Elizabeth II’ gummed stamp

Queen ‘Official’ single 2d gummed stamp.

Queen Elizabeth next appeared on stamps commemorating the centenary of the Post Office Savings Bank in 1967. Her profile appeared alongside a profile of Queen Victoria, who had been Queen in 1867. Designed by Mark Cleverley, the 1970 Pictorial highvalue stamps were issued in time for a royal visit to New Zealand. The 10c stamp featured the New Zealand Coat of Arms with a silhouette of Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1974, to commemorate New Zealand Day - known now as Waitangi Day - a miniature sheet of five 4c stamps was issued, with one of them featuring Queen Elizabeth II. The other stamps featured the Treaty House at Waitangi, Parliament Buildings and the Beehive extension, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and New Zealand school children.

Post Office Savings Bank Centenary 4d gummed stamp

1970 Pictorials (high value) 4d gummed stamp

1974 New Zealand Day miniature sheet

In 1977 the Queen’s Silver Jubilee was celebrated in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth. As part of a tour of Commonwealth countries to mark the occasion, the Queen travelled to New Zealand with the Duke of Edinburgh, and a miniature sheet incorporating five stamps was issued on 23 February 1977 A definitive stamp featuring on one of five photographs used on the Silver Jubilee miniature sheet was issued later that year.

1977 Silver Jubilee miniature sheet

1997 50th Wedding Anniversary miniature sheet 1983 Commonwealth Day set of four stamps

New Zealand, along with a number of other Commonwealth countries, issued stamps to mark Commonwealth Day in 1983. Consisting of four denominations, the issue reflected New Zealand’s cultural, geographic and economic diversity. Each stamp featured the Commonwealth symbol. The Queen featured on the 24c stamp wearing the Sovereign’s Badge of The Queen’s Service Order.

In 1997, a special miniature sheet was issued to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. The Golden Wedding Anniversary stamp depicted one of a series of official photographs taken by Photography by Woolf at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand on 26 February 1986. A first day cover and Limited Edition were also issued.

In 2001, a year before what would turn out to be the Queen’s final visit to New Zealand, a stamp issue titled Queen Elizabeth II commemorated her visits to New Zealand from 1953 to 1990, concluding with the Queen’s official portrait for New Zealand.

Queen Elizabeth visited New Zealand 10 times during her reign. She opened sessions of the New Zealand Parliament, the first sovereign to do so. She attended concerts and command performances, attended sports events, visited schools and factories and won admiration for her informal ‘walk-abouts’. She shared with us events from the bicentennial of Captain Cook’s landfall to the opening of the Beehive (Parliament’s executive building) and the 150th Anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi. Her final visit to New Zealand took place in 2002, when she toured Commonwealth countries in celebration of her 50th Jubilee.

In 2007 two stamps were issued to commemorate the 60th wedding anniversary of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Issues commemorating the Diamond Jubilee and 60th coronation anniversary followed.

2001 Queen Elizabeth II single $2.00 ‘Official Portrait for New Zealand’ gummed stamp.

2007 Royal Diamond Wedding Anniversary $2.00 ‘Wedding Day 1947’ gummed stamp

On 9 September 2015 Queen Elizabeth II succeeded Queen Victoria as New Zealand’s longest-reigning monarch. To show the vast span of time for which Queen Elizabeth II had reigned, seven stamps were issued to represent each decade from the 1950s to the 2010s. Photographs of the Queen from each decade were shown next to typographic depictions of various events that had taken place in New Zealand with the Queen as our Head of State.

2015 Longest Reigning Monarch set of seven stamps

Following commemorations of her platinum wedding anniversary and 90th birthday, the final New Zealand stamp issue commemorating the Queen during her lifetime was released in 2021, with a celebration of her 95th birthday. Most recently, coins were issued in 2022 on behalf of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to acknowledge Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and her remarkable 70 years of service.

2021 Queen Elizabeth II 95th Birthday miniature sheet

NZ Post is proud to have captured the Queen’s legacy and special relationship with New Zealand. A constant figure in the lives of most living New Zealanders, her passing will have been a significant moment in many lives. The monarchy will continue to have an important place in the stamp and coin programmes, and Elizabeth II’s descendants will carry that legacy forward in the years to come.

Visit collectables.nzpost.co.nz to find out more about commemorative stamps and coins issued by NZ Post.

Recent stamp issues

Matariki 2022

Matariki, the Māori New Year, is celebrated annually throughout Aotearoa New Zealand when, in midwinter, the Matariki star cluster rises. This signals the time of year for us all to remember those loved ones who have gone before us. It leads the way to te waka o Tamarereti, where those who have died in the past year have gathered to begin their voyage to the gathering of those who lived before them, known as tekahui o ngakahurangi.

As souls depart for their next lives, Matariki greets the rising sun – bringing, in all its glory, the promise of a new year and signalling a time to plan for the future and grasp new opportunities.

Date of issue: 4 May 2022

Designer: KE Design, Tolaga Bay, New Zealand

Printer: Southern Colour Print

Withdrawal date: 3 May 2023

Te Kura 100

In 2022 Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura, the Correspondence School) marks its 100th anniversary. This stamp issue pays homage to the early decades of Te Kura, a time when lesson delivery was closely affiliated with NZ Post.

Today more than 24,000 students are enrolled each year. Students of all ages, from early childhood to adult learners, study a vast array of topics, and lessons are delivered instantly via the internet.

In the past 100 years the school has undergone a remarkable transformation. Even its name has changed. But the profound mission of Te Kura has not deviated since 1922 - to provide education to tamariki and rangatahi who otherwise would miss out on the chance not just for an education but for the opportunity to transform their lives.

Date of issue: 1 June 2022

Designer: Jon Ward, NZ Post, Wellington, New Zealand

Printer: Southern Colour Print

Withdrawal date: 31 May 2023

2022 Scenic Definitives

In November 2021 the North Island city of Whanganui was named a UNESCO Creative City of Design, recognising the city’s historical and contemporary contributions to art and creativity. It joined Dunedin City of Literature, Auckland City of Music, and Wellington City of Film as part of the Aotearoa New Zealand UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Whanganui’s historical contribution to creativity includes not only the visionary architecture of the city’s landmark buildings, but also more than 800 years of Māori artistry and innovation.

Date of issue: 1 June 2022

Designer: NZ Post, Wellington, New Zealand

Printer: Southern Colour Print

Withdrawal date: Until further notice

Welcome Back

After more than two years of border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2022 Aotearoa reopened its borders and welcomed visitors back to our shores. As we did so, it was important to remind our visitors and ourselves to travel with care and respect.

The Tiaki Promise is a challenge and commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations. By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand - to act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.

Date of issue: 1 June 2022

Designer: Jon Ward, NZ Post, Wellington, New Zealand

Printer: NZ Post Collectables, Whanganui, New Zealand

Withdrawal date: 31 May 2023

IHC Art Awards

Since 2004 the IHC Art Awards have offered a platform to showcase the artistic talents of New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities. Artists are welcomed to submit works using a range of media including paint, wool, clay, papier-mâché and wood. Entries are open to New Zealanders aged 13 and over who have intellectual disabilities and/or autism, regardless of whether they use IHC, IDEA Services or Choices NZ services or not. The four artworks selected for the stamp collection are by Matthew Tonkin, Katie McMillan, Malachi Oldridge and Charlize Wilson - the past four winners of the L’affare People’s Choice Award.

Date of issue: 6 July 2022

Designer: Nick Jarvie, NZ Post, Wellington, New Zealand

Printer: Southern Colour Print Withdrawal date: 5 July 2023

KiwiStamps™ sheet of 50

KiwiStamps™ are now available in a booklet containing 50 self-adhesive stamps. Easy to understand and simple to use, these non-denominated stamps will always be worth the required postage of a Standard Post™ medium letter. You can also use multiple KiwiStamp™ postage stamps on a range of letter sizes.

Date of issue: 3 August 2022

Designer: NZ Post, Wellington, New Zealand

Printer: Southern Colour Print

Withdrawal date: None

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 20th Anniversary

After 12 long months of eagerly anticipating part two of the trilogy, in late December 2002 fans were rewarded with the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. After the unbridled success of The Fellowship of the Ring, which was nominated for 13 Academy Awards, the second instalment had a tough act to follow. Nevertheless, the enthusiastic audiences for the sequel ensured it was not only the highest grossing film of that year but, at the time of its release, the third-highest grossing film of all time.

Date of issue: 7 September 2022

Designer: Sacha Lees, Wellington, New Zealand

Printer: Southern Colour Print

Withdrawal date: 6 September 2023

Christmas 2022

Synonymous with fun summer activities, a break from work or school and a look back on the past year, Christmas is celebrated throughout New Zealand. The Christmas stamps for 2022 offer a colourful and distinctively New Zealand aesthetic alongside traditional symbols of the Christian festival.

Christmas-red kākābeak flowers, candle-like toetoe and raupō, bauble-like poroporo berries, decorative mānuka flowers and iconic kōwhai blooms adorn soothing stamps with a comfortingly nostalgic colour palette. Among the Christmas symbols you’ll find a star, a candle, a bell, a dove-like kererū and a decorative fantail/pīwakawaka.

Date of issue: 5 October 2022

Designer: Donna McKenna, Wellington, New Zealand

Printer: Southern Colour Print

Withdrawal date: 4 October 2023

New Zealand Black Ferns 2022

Celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s world-leading women’s rugby team. The Black Ferns boast one of the best winning percentages in international rugby, having won nearly 90 per cent of their Test matches since the team’s inception. Among their accolades are five Rugby World Cups, winning in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and most recently in 2017, and they hold two more World Cup titles than the All Blacks.

Date of issue: 5 October 2022

Designer: Dave Burke, Tauranga, New Zealand

Printer: NZ Post Collectables

Withdrawal date: 4 October 2023

IHC Art Awards

The range of artworks exemplifies a broad range of techniques and styles of art. I think it must have been a very difficult task to choose the winners. This year the judging was done by Libby Hunsdale, who starred in the 2021 film Poppy, sculptor Simon Lewis Wards and New Zealander of the Year Sam Johnson. They selected the following winners:

$5,000 First Place Winner - Mark Warner from Auckland with his drawing titled ‘Meeting’ $3,000 Second Place Winner - Sarah Holten from Auckland with her ink artwork titled ‘Serious Strokes’ $2,000 Third Place Winner - Emma White from Hamilton with her acrylic painting titled ‘Portrait of Lorde’ $1,500 Youth Award Winner - Helena Brocklebank from Kāpiti with her drawing titled ‘Angry’.

In addition to the judges’ selection every year there is also a people’s choice award.

The L’affare People’s Choice Award is given to one of the 30 finalists, who are selected by the judges from the top 100 artworks. This selection includes the four winners (first, second and third places and the Youth Award) and any highly commended artists. It was later announced that Helena Brocklebank, winner of the Youth Award, was also the winner of the People’s Choice Award

It was hugely worthwhile to see the works in person at the popup gallery. The range and quality of the works are inspirational.

It was with great pride that this year our July stamp issue featured the L’affare People’s Choice Award winners from the previous four years. It was a really fabulous project, and one that I hope will enthuse stamp collectors and art lovers throughout New Zealand and around the globe.

On 27 July the 2022, IHC Art Awards winners were announced and the Top 100 Artworks showcased in a pop-up gallery on Wellington’s Willis Street. The awards provide a forum for artists with intellectual disabilities to have their talents recognised and their voices heard.

The awards offer the opportunity for the artists to sell their work. NZ Post Collectables Programme and Content Manager Lynette Townsend joined the celebrations.

IHC Art Award judges with Dame Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, IHC Art Awards Ambassador.

Libby Hunsdale at the Pop-up Gallery in Wellington. Libby starred in the 2021 film Poppy and was one of the judges for the 2022 IHC Art Awards.

The IHC Art Awards stamps issued on 6 July 2022. Stamps will remain available until 5 July 2023.

A precious collection

Sandra Killen is an avid collector of artworks by Sacha Lees, creator of NZ Post’s The Lord of the Rings 20th Anniversary collectables. Already a fan of Tolkein’s work and a collector of stamps and coins, when Sandra found out who was creating our The Lord of the Rings collectables, she knew she had to get involved.

Tell us about yourself - who are you and what’s your story?

Hello. My name is Sandra. I am 61 years old, and I live in Devonport, Auckland. I am retired, and I live a peaceful beachside life. My joys in life are walking, swimming, and Sacha Lees’ original art and NZ Post coin collections, especially The Lord of the Rings by Sacha Lees.

What made you want to start collecting, and what motivates you to add items to your collection?

Continuing my family tradition. My vision for collecting started as a child. I saw my father’s delight when he received post that increased his stamp collection. He spent hours of joy and serenity putting the stamps in his collection book. So, many years later, in his memory I now buy New Zealand coins and stamps.

What artworks or objects consistently attract you?

I buy paintings by Sacha Lees. When I learnt that she was designing the Lord of the Rings coin collection I was ecstatic. When my two collecting loves combined - Sacha Lees and NZ Post - they became the most memorable collection days.

What draws you to Sacha’s work?

I have been buying Sacha’s original paintings for years. I was delighted when she started designing the NZ Post The Lord of the Rings coin sets. She is an amazing artist! When I am captivated at home by her art, it enhances my mood, it takes me to another fantasy world. I can stare at every brush

stroke for hours. Along with other commentators on the White Cloud Worlds books (edited by Paul Tobin), I feel she is one of the masters in fantasy art. She really catches the human form. Why are you passionate about The Lord of the

Rings?

We always had a The Lord of the Rings book at home when I was a child. The essence of The Lord of the Rings was always part of me. I have been watching the films for years. I can relate to the stories and the characters. I was delighted when Sir Peter Jackson and Sir Richard Taylor from Wētā put New Zealand on the map with their films. One of my holidays was at Weta Cave Workshop in Wellington, in 2010, where I met Mark, a staff member. I was there for hours entranced by the sculptures. When I asked, “Who do you feel is the best artist from The Lord of the Rings?”, without hesitation he brought up the name Sacha Lees. This is how I was introduced to Sacha Lees, and I have been a follower ever since.

What is your most prized The Lord of the Rings object?

I have the 18-karat gold One Ring, from Wētā, which I am wearing in the photo, and the NZ Post 1kg coin designed by Sacha Lees. My favourite painting is Guardian by Sacha Lees.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about being a collector?

My painting and coin collection focuses visitors inside the house. They are not just artifacts. They are motivation.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was issued on 7 September 2022. The stamps wil remain on sale until 6 September 2023.

Upcoming stamp issues

Women in Science - Issue date: 2 November 2022

In celebration of all the women scientists in Aotearoa New Zealand, this stamp issue highlights the remarkable work of four trailblazing women. Mākereti Papakura, Lucy Moore, Joan Wiffen and Beatrice Hill Tinsley achieved in the scientific fields of ethnography, botany, palaeontology and cosmology in the 20th century.

Born between 1873 and 1941, the scientists featured on these stamps achieved in the face of institutional and societal structures that often made things difficult for women.

Designer: Jo Bailey, School of Design, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand Printer: Southern Colour Print

2023 Year of the Rabbit - Issue date: 7 December 2022

Chinese believe that the Zodiac and the animal years in which people are born have a tremendous influence on their lives and personalities. Rabbits are said to have a calm, noble demeanour, be creative and sociable, and live long and happy lives. Yet for harmony to exist in the universe, Rabbits must also have their dark sides. They are known to be arrogant at times, prone to escapism, and averse to taking even the slightest of risks.

Inspired by traditional Chinese nianhua posters, the Year of the Rabbit stamps are intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia while also looking forward to the year ahead.

Designer: YMC Design, Wellington, New Zealand

Printer: Southern Colour Print

Christmas is coming early

NZ

Tell us about your history of designing stamps for NZ Post.

I have designed 11 stamp issues for NZ Post. My first issue was WWF for Nature in 1993. For the launch of the stamp I had a giant weta from the zoo crawling on my arm. I was young and brave then. Three of my designs have been photographic, such as Scenic Reflections in 2000, but most are illustrated, featuring everything from animals at a zoo to children.

What was your approach to the Christmas 2022 stamp designs?

My approach for Christmas 2022 was first to follow the requirements of the brief using my years of design experience and styles. I needed to fit the elements of each stamp in a visual hierarchical order, all while holding a unified and pleasing look across the set. The overall task was to present Christmas stamps that are uniquely New Zealand’s.

I began by mulling over the brief and making rough basic concept sketches. I wanted to convey simple, suitable, symbolic decorations of our Christmas in traditional silver, that many people would recognise. Working at four times the size I developed the central silver symbol, tying it in with a nostalgic colour selection to lift Aotearoa New Zealand’s very own flora to the fore. The digital illustration outlines subtly signify stained glass. Finally, handlettering was styled to feel both festive and authentic. No holly sprigs in sight.

What else do you design and what do you enjoy doing the most?

I design a range of work, from book illustrations to calligraphy, from painting on shovels to painting on canvas. Health, education and conservation have been my most predominant work areas. It’s difficult to decide which I like doing the most because they’re all pretty neat. My professional career spans five decades now - that’s a lot of deadlines. But stamp designing

easily ticks all the boxes as far as design challenge and excellent client communication go, and has the bonus of finishing with a functional miniature collectable.

How would you spend an ideal Christmas day? Do you have any family Christmas traditions?

An ideal Christmas Day is how I already spend it. A lot of effort goes into the food preparation for the family midday Christmas feast, held either indoors or out in the bright summer sun. Family traditions are putting on display the colourful Christmas decorations that have been stashed away and all the family being together on the big day, lots of music, a wee gift for each other and remembering those who are no longer with us to enjoy Christmas. That’s where the dovelike kererū stamp comes in.

What do you think are the most defining characteristics of a New Zealand Christmas?

Family time in the warmth of our Southern Hemisphere summer and the promise of more sunshine in the New Year. This year will be unique, watching the King’s first traditional Christmas message.

If you could design a stamp issue on any topic, what would it be and why?

I’d choose the human relationship with nature. It could depict a child planting a small tree, with the second stamp of the same person as a teenager nurturing the larger tree- perhaps watering - and the third stamp featuring a mature tree offering shade to the now elderly adult who rests on a bench. I like the symbolic idea that it’s a two-way system – we protect nature and then nature protects us.

Christmas 2022 was issued on 5 October 2022. Stamps will remain on sale until 4 October 2023.

Post’s Christmas 2022 stamps were issued a month earlier than usual with the help of designer and illustrator Donna McKenna. Nearly 20 years on from her first foray into stamp design, this is the 11th New Zealand stamp issue she has created.

“It’s difficult to decide which [art medium] I like doing the most because they’re all pretty neat.”

Stamp exhibitions

Come and engage with the philatelic community! Two major exhibitions are coming up in the next six months. NZ Post representatives will be there, and we’re looking forward both to seeing some familiar faces and to making new connections.

WPS100 Stamp Show, Porirua

The Wellington Philatelic Society is celebrating its centenary with a stamp exhibition. WPS100 Stamp Show is to be held on 11-13 November 2022 at the Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua City.

Entries from exhibitors have closed and more than 600 frames (each containing the equivalent of 16 album pages) of competitive and invited exhibits will be on show. Apart from the normal diversity of interesting exhibits and displays that is to be seen at a National Stamp Exhibition, WPS100 includes the 2022 Australasian Challenge. The challenge is held every three years between teams from Australia (Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland) and New Zealand (the North and South Islands). This ensures a high quality of material rarely seen in New Zealand.

NZ Post will be joined by nine dealers in stamps, coins and postcards.

For further information, visit wps100.nz.

NZ2023 International Stamp Exhibition, Auckland

NZ2023 is to be held on 4-7 May 2023 and will be the first international stamp exhibition held in New Zealand since the successful NZ1990 World Stamp Exhibition. Due to COVID-19 and the closing of our borders, the NZ2020 international stamp exhibition became a much smaller national exhibition in March 2020 and closed a day early.

It is therefore with great excitement the exhibition organisers welcome international visitors to this event.

To be hosted by the Ellerslie Event Centre, Auckland, NZ2023 is being held under the patronage of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately.

A wide range of dealers and postal agencies is expected to be in attendance. If you would like to provide financial support for NZ2023, you can join the supporters’ club. For further information, visit nz2023.nz.

NZ Post is the major sponsor of both exhibitions and will have staff and a sales booth with special souvenirs and postmarks available. Mark the dates on your calendar - we look forward to seeing you there.

Recent coin issues

Matariki 2022

Matariki, the Māori New Year, is celebrated annually across Aotearoa New Zealand when, in mid-winter, the Matariki star cluster rises. This signals the time of year for us all to remember those loved ones who have gone before us. It leads the way to te waka o Tamarereti, where those who have died in the past year have gathered to begin their voyage to the gathering of those who lived before them, known as tekahui o ngakahurangi.

Matariki is an abbreviation of ‘Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea (‘The eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea’) and refers to the cluster of stars otherwise known as Pleiades. In the creation story, the children of Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother) wished to separate their parents so that light could come into the world. The only brother who did not agree to this was Tāwhirimātea, the god of wind and storms. It is said that Tāwhirimātea was so angry with his siblings for separating his parents that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens.

Date of issue: June 2022

Designer: KE Design, Tolaga Bay, New Zealand

Mint: B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt GmbH Worldwide mintage: Gold coin: 150 Silver coin: 800

Black Ferns

The Black Ferns boast one of the best winning percentages in international rugby, having won nearly 90 per cent of their Test matches since the team’s inception. Among their accolades are five Rugby World Cups, winning in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and most recently in 2017. That same year ended with a landmark moment for women’s rugby when the Black Ferns became the first-ever women’s team to be named the World Rugby Team of the Year.

In 2022 the Black Ferns coaching group has been bolstered with the inclusion of Wayne Smith and Sir Graham Henry joining Wesley Clarke and Whitney Hansen. The group are looking forward to creating an exhilarating brand of rugby to get all New Zealanders excited in what is the biggest year of women’s rugby ever.

Date of issue: July 2022

Designer (proof coins): Dave Burke, Tauranga, New Zealand Mint: The Commonwealth Mint Worldwide mintage: 1,000

Singapore International Coin Fair

NZ Post Collectables’ Nauman Chaudhry and Alan Hollows recently had the pleasure of attending the Singapore International Coin Fair 2022. Showcasing New Zealand’s commemorative coins to an international audience, it was also a great opportunity to connect with mints, dealers, and printing and packaging suppliers from all around the world.

With a history of more than 30 years, the Singapore International Coin Fair is one of the best coin shows in the Asian region. The event ran from 16 to 18 September and NZ Post attended for the first time ever, along with more than 9,000 visitors who came along to take in the extensive displays of coins (old and new), attend free talks and presentations, and have coins and other items authenticated and valued.

Te Kura 100 Years

In 1922 Miss Janet MacKenzie arrived at the Department of Education in Wellington to start work as the first teacher of a new education endeavour - a ‘correspondence scheme’. She was allocated a small office on the second floor of Government Buildings. The roll rapidly grew from the estimated 25 primary-age students to 347 by the end of the first year, and everything was handwritten and sent by post.

Today more than 24,000 students are enrolled each year. Students of all ages, from early childhood to adult learners, study a vast array of topics, and lessons are now delivered instantly online. Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu’s (Te Kura’s) transformation in the past 100 years has taken it from The Correspondence School, largely responsible for the education of ‘backblocks’ families - children living in lighthouses and on farms - to an online distance educator where Māori make up almost half of the full-time roll.

In the past 100 years, the school has undergone a remarkable transformation. But the profound mission of Te Kura has not deviated since 1922 - to provide education to tamariki and rangatahi who otherwise would miss out on the chance not just for an education, but the opportunity to transform their lives.

Janet MacKenzie would surely have been delighted to know that the school for which she built such strong foundations would endure, and remain just as relevant as ever, 100 years later.

In 2022 Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (The Correspondence School) marks its 100th anniversary. NZ Post’s June stamp issue paid homage to the early decades of the school, a time when lesson delivery was closely affiliated with NZ Post.

$1.50 Early students, Wairarapa, 1930s

This stamp shows one of the earliest known photos of Te Kura students. The boy is wearing the school’s uniform, worn when students attended courses away from home, although many liked to wear their uniforms while doing their lessons at home.

By the 1930s, there were almost 3,000 students enrolled in the Correspondence School, with a teaching staff of 108. A new headmaster, Arthur Butcher, was appointed in 1935. He believed that students needed more than lessons, and encouraged the formation of school clubs and societies. In 1935 he spent a fortnight of his holidays visiting pupils in the Wairarapa and southern Hawke’s Bay, leading to the establishment of the Visiting Teacher scheme. He also introduced camps, and residential schools where pupils could spend a month at a time.

In 1936 an Ex-Pupils’ Association was formed, followed by a Parents’ Association, and the school’s services were extended to include a Special Education Service. The school also got a permanent home in the former Clifton Terrace School in Wellington. In 1938, Butcher attended the first International Conference of Correspondence School Educators in Canada and learned that his school was regarded as a world leader.

$2.80

Collecting a mailbag, Aoraki Mt Cook, 1950s

This image quintessentially represents the days of Te Kura, when lessons were delivered by post to remote rural locations. By the 1950s there was a vast array of topics taught, including courses in te reo Māori, a first in New Zealand schools.

In a time of growing prosperity in the country, the Correspondence School now had 5,000 on the roll, a staff of 134 and an administrative staff of 41. As well as managing school exams, the school was preparing students for teachers’ certificates, diplomas of fine arts, public service examinations, qualifying examinations for entrance to the clerical division of the public service, and first-division Post Office entrance.

The Visiting Teacher Scheme had gone a long way to connecting the students with the school, and headmaster Eric Le Petit was determined to do more. A new Resident Teachers scheme was introduced. Permanently stationed in districts, teachers organised ‘School Days’ where students would join classes at host schools and meet other pupils, and enjoy the benefits of having specialist teachers.

In 1955 a film about the Correspondence School, A Letter to the Teacher, was shown in theatres throughout the country and was later nominated for inclusion in the Berlin Film Festival.

$3.60 Receiving school work, Arapito, 1960s

In this stamp a student is shown receiving lessons in the iconic green canvas envelope that could be used to receive and send schoolwork.

With post-war society evolving into a new era of fashion, music and politics, the 1960s was a time when youth culture flourished and the concept of teenagers was firmly established in the lexicon.

At the Correspondence School, headmaster Albert O’Reilly, like his two most recent predecessors, was appointed to the position having already spent many years on the staff. He had also had a distinguished war career, having received a Military Cross for outstanding service.

The school continued to have a strong sense of its role in the education system and was lauded by officials with frequent visits from Ministers of Education and others. The school was also praised by a 1960 Royal Commission for its work with rural children with special education needs. One popular innovation, introduced by O’Reilly, was a Study Week, which took School Certificate candidates to Wellington for five days of intensive preparation - as well as providing the chance for some sightseeing around the capital.

$4.10

Lighthouse lessons, Tiritiri Matangi, 1970s

Although this photo represents the stereotypical image of remote learning, the Correspondence School had significantly diversified. Both rural and urban students were enrolled, and remote early childhood education was made available for the first time.

By the 1970s, many aspects of the school were changing. Headmaster Hector McVeagh was dealing with the imminent demolition of the school’s main building on Clifton Terrace to make way for the new Wellington motorway. The nature of the roll was also changing. Of the 8,000 students, almost half were now adults. Meanwhile, the number being enrolled for reasons of isolation was falling. Hundreds of children of diplomats, missionaries, academics on sabbatical leave, volunteers on international aid projects, and members of the armed forces were studying overseas. Back home, some were seeking different lifestyles, often taking to the road and enrolling their children as ‘travelling around New Zealand’.

The 1970s ended with the opening of a permanent home at Portland Crescent.

Niue and Tokelau

The first stamp issue created by NZ Post for Niue was issued in 2009.

Through 11 photographic images, the 2009 Niue Definitives stamp collection highlighted the reasons to visit Niue - its stunning landscapes, seascapes and marine life. Carrying the Niue Tourism logo and set against an image of traditional woven pandanus leaf, the stamps were proof indeed that Niue was undiscovered, unspoiled and simply unbelievable.

Through the years NZ Post commemorated various aspects of Niue including nature, traditions, milestones and its connection to the Commonwealth.

The most recent stamp issue commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Niue Boys’ Brigade. Founded in Glasgow in 1883, the Boys’ Brigade is an interdenominational Christian youth organisation that has more than 700,000 members in 60 countries. The Boys’ Brigade was introduced to the young men of Niue in 1946.

One of the world’s largest coral islands, Niue was originally settled by migrating Tongans, Samoans and Cook Islanders. Through the centuries it has evolved to have its own culture and language, similar to, but quite separate from, those of its neighbours. Niue’s name, which translates as ‘Behold! The coconut!’, reflects the island’s ability to sustain the coconut palm - and therefore be a land worth inhabiting. Niue offers an abundance of natural riches both on the land and in its surrounding seas.

Almost a quarter of the island is virgin rainforest, filled with native birds and plant life, while avenues of fragrant frangipani provide tantalising glimpses of the ocean beyond. You can also explore Niue’s spectacular and extensive cave system - or venture into its offshore waters, rated as among the clearest in the world.

Don a diving suit and you’ll see amazing underwater caverns and cathedrals, as well as a mind-boggling array of marine life including turtles, dolphins, snakes, hard corals and all manner of fish. And with the island’s shelf dropping sharply within 100 metres of dry land in places, you don’t have to travel far to be in very, very deep water. Between June and October each year, you can often see whales a mere 50 metres from the water’s edge!

Niue also has a strong connection with New Zealand. One of the world’s smallest self-governing states, it operates in ‘free association’ with New Zealand, and most Niueans now live here (about 30,000 are Niuean born or of direct Niuean descent). In contrast, the population of Niue is around 1,650. It’s a bond that has endured in various forms for more than 100 years – and one that continues to unite the two nations today.

Tokelau Christmas 2011 was the first stamp issue produced by NZ Post under an exclusive agreement to design, produce and distribute stamps for the Pacific nation.

Christmas is celebrated throughout the Pacific, and the small but stunning coral atolls of Tokelau are no exception. Meaning ‘The North Wind’, Tokelau is home to around 1,500 people, who celebrate Christmas by spending time with friends and loved ones.

Christmas in Tokelau is a busy time, with many locals hosting friends and family from overseas. Typically Christmas Day is spent attending church services as well as sharing food with neighbours and extended family. Cricket or ‘kilikiti’ is often played during the day with great competitiveness, and the evenings are spent participating in cultural dancing or ‘fatele’.

Christmas remained a strong theme throughout the years of NZ Post’s Tokelau stamp programme, as did the atolls’ flora and fauna, unique environmental infrastructure and Commonwealth connection. Fittingly, the final stamp issue produced by NZ Post on behalf of Tokelau was once again a Christmas commemoration. Combining traditional motifs, the green and blue hues of the Pacific ocean and the beauty of Tokelau’s natural surroundings, the elements of the beautiful Tokelau Kilihimahi 2020 stamps told the Christmas story while capturing the vibrant environment and traditions of Tokelau.

Tokelau is situated in the central Pacific, and lies halfway between Hawaii and Auckland, roughly 500 kilometres north of Samoa. It is made up of three main coral atolls - Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu - which are spread over almost 200 kilometres. Tokelauan life is based on sharing, co-operation and inclusiveness within the family group (kaiga) and village community. The church is an important part of village life, with Catholic and Protestant missionaries arriving from Samoa in the mid-1800s.

Tokelauans have become very skilled at living sustainably. The men commonly fish, farm and build, while the women have the responsibility of caring for the welfare of the villages.

New Zealand and Tokelau have a strong bond, with a shared currency (New Zealand dollar) and around 6,800 Tokelauans living in New Zealand. Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand, and this five-year partnership has strengthened the long-standing ties between the two nations.

To see the full range of Niue and Tokelau stamps previously produced by NZ Post, visit collectables.nzpost.co.nz

collectables.nzpost.co.nz

For over a decade, NZ Post has created stamp issues on behalf of the Pacific nations Niue and Tokelau. These contracts have now ended, and this programme of work has come to a close.

Staff profile: Caitlin McArthur

Caitlin McArthur is a Visual Communications Specialist in the NZ Post Design Team. She’s been working with NZ Post for just over a year.

What’s your design background?

I studied visual communication design at Massey University and graduated in 2021. After graduating I did a bit of freelancing as well as contract work before starting at NZ Post in September 2021. NZ Post is both my first corporate and my first fulltime role.

What’s your approach to design and what do you enjoy about it?

I see design as an avenue for problem solving. I approach design jobs through a human-centered design lens. I bring the audiences’ and clients’ feelings, values and beliefs into the work I do, which helps me to hone in on what is truly needed. I enjoy human-centred design because I love learning and research. Design is a holistic process for many of the jobs I do, and there is a lot of behindthe-scenes research and development that helps enrich the end product. Being able to fuse these elements with design ensures that the end product not only meets the brief but is thoughtful and purposeful. Being able to see the value in what I do makes my work enjoyable.

What makes designing stamps different from other kinds of design work?

For me, stamps are a portal in time. They are one of the smallest creative vessels imbued with rich stories. This idea of scale makes them different from anything else. I love storytelling and finding ways to bring research and history into design and I

think that’s what stamps are particularly effective at. The idea that you have to combine all of this into a method of effective storytelling at such a small scale sets stamp design, apart from its creative counterparts. Adjusting to the small scale was something that I had to do in my first stamp issue. Something could look perfect on screen; however, until it’s translated to print material, you can’t truly assess its appropriateness.

Stamps and coins are popular collectors’ items. Tell us about something you’ve collected.

A large chunk of my childhood was spent on the West Coast in the South Island with my relatives, specifically my grandparents. As cliché as it sounds, I would spend time on the beaches collecting shells. These shells were mementos of my time on the coast. As a gift, my grandad collected shells and framed them for me. Till this day I still have a few of the shells I collected, along with my framed shell collection that sits in my family home.

If you could design anything, what would it be and why?

I’m particularly interested in human-centered design, a method that focuses on design thinking and working with the people you’re designing for. I would love to use this method more and design with groups of people. The idea of starting my own thing, whether it be a business or small venture, also really excites me.