October 1983
Issue 30
~ [19]Philatelic
rcEWZEALMU POST OFFICE PHIlATELIC BlffAU
Philatelic Bulletin Bulletin philatelique Philatelistische Nachrichten
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1984 Stamp Programme 1 February -
1 August
Special topic issue (four stamps and miniature sheet): New Zealand involvement in Antarctica
-
Special topic issue (four stamps): Vintage Transport
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Scenic issue (four stamps): New Zealand Ski fields
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Special topic issue (five stamps): Endangered animal wildlife
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Health issue (three stamps and miniature sheet): Domestic animals
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Christmas issue (three stamps): Old Master painting, historic church, symbolic scene
5 December- Special topic issue (four stamps and miniature sheet): New Zealand military history The New Zealand Post Office reserves the right to vary the stamp programme outlined above.
¡PRESENTATION PACK¡
The "Beautiful New Zealand" set of four scenic stamps is now available in an attractive Presentation Pack. This pack is not only a "must" for all stamp collectors - it also makes an ideal gift for visitors to New Zealand
or friends, family and business associates overseas. The stamps depict some of the great variety and beauty of New Zealand, from Cooks Bay and Mount Egmont in the North Island to Lakes
Presentation Packs
Postcards Four new postcards are now available which feature the scenic stamps released in June. Mount Egmont, Lake Alexandrina, Lake Matheson and Cooks Bay can be seen on the postcards. They sell for 25 cents each and are available from all Post Offices or may be ordered from the Philatelic Bureau.
Matheson and Alexandrina in the South. Costing $2.75, the Presentation Pack will remain on sale at Post Offices until February 29 and at the Philatelic Bureau until May 31, 1984, unless
stocks are exhausted earlier.
\"nnSlmas The 1983 New Zealand Christmas stamps, to be released on October 5, will again feature an "Old Master" painting, a church, and a scene symbolic of Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere. A detail of the painting "The Holy Family of the Oak Tree" by Raphael, the original of which is in the Prado Museum, Madrid, appears on the 18 cent stamp. St Patrick's Church, Greymouth, is featured on the 35 cent stamp. The 45 cent stamp, titled "The Glory of Christmas", depicts a stylised Star of Bethlehem together with the Southern Cross and poinsettia flowers. Michael J. Wyatt of Queenstown is responsible for the "Church" design and graphics for the "Old Master" stamp. Maurice Conly of Waikanae designed the symbolic stamp. The stamp issue has been printed by Courvoisier SA, Switzerland, by photogravure using the new "EDP" Enhanced Design Process. All stamps are of vertical format and measure 28.6 mm x 39.2 mm. They are produced in sheets of 100 stamps (10 rows of 10 stamps). Plate/imprint or positional blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps of all denominations. First Day Covers, designed by Michael Wyatt, will cost $1.05. Orders may be made on a special form available at Post Offices from August 4 until October 5. Covers may also be purchased over the counter at Chief Post Offices and selected Post Offices from October 5 to October 14. Orders for First Day Covers close at the Philatelic Bureau, Private Bag, Wanganui, on October 5. Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, the stamps will remain on sale at Post Offices until January 31 , 1984, and at the Philatelic Bureau (mail orders) and Philatelic Sales Centres until June 30, 1984. Raphael (1483-1520) was born at Urbino, Italy, and trained from an early age in the workshops of Timoteo Viti and Perugino, both leading artists of the period. He then embarked on a brilliant career during
The Holy Family is pictured with the young St John. Typical of much Renaissance art, the figures are shown against an Italian backdrop of fields and ancient Roman artifacts. St Patrick's Church, Greymouth, which features on the 35 cent stamp, is one of the finest churches on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, The church was designed by leading architect Mr Frank Petre w~o was also responsible for the Catholic cathedrals of Christchurch and Dunedin. It was opened in May,188!l. Originally St Patrick's must have looked much as it does on the stamp, but a church spire, bell tower and entrance porch were added in 1900. A decision to use local timber for the spire may have led to its early deterioration for the spire was demolished in the 1960s and never replaced. In 1912 the nave of the church was widened and a sanctuary added, while marble sanctuary furnishings were added at a still later date. The church organ is claimed by many to be the finest musical instrument in Westland. Another feature of the church is some magnificent stained glass windows. The Southern Cross, seen on the 45 cent stamp alongside the Star of Bethlehem and poinsettia flowers, is usually represented symbolically by either four or five stars. Within the accepted boundaries of the constellation however, up to 34 stars can be seen with the naked eye and with telescopes the numbers run into many thousands. Visible from all New Zealand latitudes, the Southern Cross makes a complete circuit of the heavens in the course of 24 hours, around a point known as the South Celestial Pole. The poinsettia flower is not a native of New Zealand, but its attractive scarlet bracts can be seen in many gardens over the summer months. The plant is named after an American diplomat, Mr Joel Poinsett, who discovered it in Mexico in 1828. Poinsettias are now grown all over the world.
First Day Covers Pack
::stamp paCK
The 1983 New Zealand Stamp Pack released on October 5 is the annual Collectors Pack with a new name. While not lessening collectors' interest, the change of name will ensure a much wider appeal in the tourist and gift markets. The cover design this year features an illustration of the 1907 pictorial 3d stamp depicting the New Zealand native bird, the huia. As usual, the Pack contains every special and commemorative stamp issued during the past year. These include: Commemorative: Centenaries of the Salvation Army, the University of Auckland and the introduction of the rainbow trout; World Communications Year, Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relationship. Commonwealth Day: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth 11; Maori Rock Drawing; Woolmark - wool scouring; the New Zealand Coat of Arms. Rita Angus Traditional Paintings: Boats, Island Bay; Central Otago Landscape; Wanaka Landscape; Tree. Scenic: Mt Egmont; Cooks Bay; Lake Matheson; Lake Alexandrina. Health: Animals - Tabby, Siamese and Persian cats; miniature sheet. Christmas: An Old Master ("The Holy Family of the Oak Tree" (detail) by Raphael); St Patrick's Church, Greymouth; symbolic design ("The Glory of Christmas"). The pack costs $10.95 and is available at any Post Office or Philatelic Sales Centre, or by mail order from the Philatelic Bureau. Leaflets containing special order forms have been included with the Christmas stamp issue leaflets.
Definitive Stamp Pack
DEFINITIVE¡ STAMPS OF NEW ZEALAND
A symbolic design based on the traditional Maori heitiki (or tiki) dominates the cover of a new Definitive Stamp Pack which will be available from December 7. The origin of heitikis, small carved ornaments, is obscure but they have long been popular as souvenirs of New Zealand. The most valuable heitikis are carved from the dark green mineral, nephrite, which along with agate, iron pyrites, amethyst, carnelian and native sulphur features on a set of six definitive stamps released on December 1, 1982. These are included in the Definitive Pack together with the 24c Map stamp issued on April 1, 1982, and five stamps featuring fruit (grapes, citrus fruit, nectarines, apples and kiwifruit) issued on the same day as the new Pack, December 7. The Definitive Stamp Pack will cost $2.85 and will be available from any Post Office or Philatelic Sales Centre, or by mail order from the Philatelic Bureau.
uennlllve Designed by Don Little of Auckland, the stamps were printed in Melbourne by Leigh-Mardon Pty Ltd, using the lithography process. Grapes (on the 1Oc stamp) are grown mainly in Poverty Bay and Hawkes Bay, but Marlborough and Auckland also have a significant number of vineyards. The growing of grapes for winemaking began in the earliest days of European settlement in New Zealand. The first recorded grapes were planted by pioneer missionary Samuel Marsden at Keri Keri, in the Bay of Islands. Citrus fruit appears on the 20c stamp - a tangelo, grapefruit and lemon. Tangelo's name is derived from two fruits - the tangerine and the pumelo - and probably originated in China and South Eastern Asia about 4,000 years ago. Grown throughout Northland, Bay of Plenty and the North Island's East Coast, the seminole tangelo featured on the stamp is a tart-sweet fruit, which grows in consistently heavy crops. New Zealand's climate is not hot enough for the true grapefruit varieties of citrus paradisi, but the so-called grapefruit (or poorman's orange) tolerates the lower temperatures well. Finally named goldfruit in 1981, it is by far the most important grapefruit type grown here and is grown mainly in the Bay of Plenty. Predominant varieties of New Zealand lemons are the Villafranca and its close relati ve the Genoa, also grown mainly in the Bay of Plenty. The 30c stamp features 'two varieties of nectarines - Fantasia in the foreground, and Red Gold behind. Grown mainly in Central Otago and Hawkes Bay, nectarines, like peaches, have a rich golden skin with a crimson blush. However, in contrast to the peach's soft furry skin, the nectarine's is smooth. New Zealand's second biggest export earner in horticulture is apples. An old and a new variety the Granny Smith and Braeburn feature on the 40c stamp.
Granny Smith apples originated in Australia, where a chance seedling was discovered in 1850 by none other than "Granny Smith". The Braeburn, a relatively new variety developed in New Zealand, is gaining excellent acceptance in European markets. About 90 percent of New Zealand's apples are harvested in Nelson and Hawkes Bay, with the remainder grown mainly in Otago and Auckland. The aptly-named Bay of Plenty, with warm sunny days and crisp nights, is an ideal natural environment for kiwifruit growing. It was here that New Zealand's first kiwifruit vines were established. Kiwifruit is a glamour export earner with tremendous potential. Six million trays were exported in 1981, and shipments totalling 60 million trays are forecast by 1990. The kiwifruil's flavour is unique, and although it is a tropical fruit, in some markets it has now joined the ranks of apples, oranges and pears, as a popular fruit. Of all fruits, the kiwifruit has the highest vitamin content, with 105mg to every 100g of fruit. A special First Day Cover has been designed by Don Little to accompany the five "fruit" stamps. By completing a special order form it may be ordered and paid for at local Post Offices from October 6 until December 7. After that, the covers will also be available, over the counter, from Chief Post Offices and selected Post Offices until December 16. Orders for First Day Covers close at the Philatelic Bureau on December 7. The stamps' are printed in sheets of 100 (10 rows of 10), and platel imprint, positional or value blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps of all denominations. The stamps will be available from all Post Offices and Philatelic Sales Centres, and from the Philatelic Bureau, Private Bag, Wanganui (mail orders) indefinitely, as part of the current Definitive set.
Tokelau Traditional pastimes of Tokelau are the sUbject of a set of six stamps to be released on November 2. The popular games that are featured were all enacted for artist Maurice Conly who made sketches and took colour photographs on which his stamp designs are based. The 5 sene stamp shows javelin throwing; the 18 sene, a string game; the 23 sene, fire making; the 34 sene, shell throwing; the 63 sene, a hand ball game; and the 75 sene, mass wrestling. The Tokelauan sene is equivalent to the New Zealand cent. All materials used in the games are native to the atolls. The javelins seen in javelin-throwing (ta tika) on the 5s stamp are fashioned from native wood. A burnt-in design is achieved by weaving thin strips of pandanus leaves or bark around the javelins which are removed to reveal the pattern after being scorched in a fire. The string game, called tifaga, is played by all age groups. Using a variety of materials, a cats-cradle is made. A considerable number of designs can be manipulated with the fingers, teeth and toes. Fire making (hika afi) is a popular game with older male children who compete to see who can make fire first. The operator sits on the end of a piece of dry, well-seasoned wood to anchor it and holding the "push stick" in both hands rubs it firmly to and fro in line with the grain on the under stick. Shell throwing (tiuga) is the art of throwing shells along the length of two rolled up mats, to see who can place their shells nearest the furthest end. The hand ball game, known as lapeta, lape or lapelio, is similar to rounders where the thrown ball is struck with the open hand and the striker runs to bases. The "ball" is a cube shape made from pandanus or coconut leaves beautifully woven to the required size. Mass wrestling (poto) is a sport in which men and/or boys gather and facing outwards, interlink their arms to form a strong circle of bodies. The opposition, on the outside, must try to
break the inner group by all means possible. The Tokelau stamps are all of horizontal format. They measure 42.58mm x 28.45mm and are printed by lithography in sheets of 50 (10 rows of 5) by The House of Questa, England. First Day Covers, also designed by Maurice Conly, will cost $2.28 and can be ordered from the Philatelic Bureau, Private Bag, Wanganui. They will be forwarded to Tokelau for date stamping and returned to the Bureau about mid December, then mailed to customers, unaddressed and in an outer envelope. If the order is for both mint stamps and First Day Covers, it will be sent in one posting. Orders for First Day Covers close on November 2. Plate/imprint positional or value blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps of all denominations. The stamps are available in New Zealand only from the Philatelic Bureau or from the seven Philatelic Sales Centres, and will remain on sale until May 1, 1984. The stamps are not valid for postage in New Zealand.
~peClal
IOPIC ~tamp Issue
New Zealand involvement in Antarctica will be the subject of a special topic stamp issue to be released on February 1. The four stamps depict areas in which some of the most important studies are currently being made - geology (24c), biology (40c), glaciology (58c) and meteorology (70c). New Zealand geologists have for many years conducted study programmes of the Beacon Supergroup rock formations of Shapeless Mountain, seen on the 24c stamp, and Mount Fleming at the head of the Wright Valley in the Dry Valley region of Antarctica. More recently, a detailed mapping survey of coal measures found on Shapeless Mountain has been conducted by scientists from the NZ Geological Survey and the Antarctic Coal Measures Study Group of New South Wales. Interestingly, this revealed that coal measures are not extensive and the quality is poor. For many years, New Zealand scientists have also contributed to extensive research of seal colonies like that shown on the 40c stamp. These colonies abound in the Ross Dependency and in the coastal areas of Ross Island. Although once threatened by over-exploitation, Antarctic seal colonies have shown a marked increase in numbers recently, and care is taken to ensure minimum human impact on the colonies. "Winkie" drilling equipment seen on the 58c stamp has been used by scientists from the Antarctic Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and the United States Geological Survey for a drilling programme in the Lower Taylor Valley where they are working to decipher the late Cenozoic glacial history. Core samples obtained from drill holes ranging in depth between 80 and 120 metres have, after analysis, added considerably to the geological knowledge and history of the region. Both New Zealand's Scott Base and Vanda Station in the Dry Valleys region of Antarctica conduct
important meteorological studies of the type seen on the 70c stamp. These include daily climatic observations along with continuous wind, temperature and pressure recordings and monitoring of solar radiation. These observations provide data which is regUlarly transmitted to the New Zealand Meteorological Service. Maurice Conly of Waikanae, the official artist for the Antarctic Division of the DSIR, designed the four stamps and also a miniature sheet containing the four stamps. The miniature sheet shows a RNZAF Hercules transport aircraft on the Williams Field which is the "airport" for everyone arriving on the ice. Also featured are the Scotl Base huskies, the original form of transportation in the Antarctic, and now quite a tourist attraction according to Mr Conly who has visited the area several times. Today, most of New Zealand's Antarctic involvement is in the Ross Dependency, named after James Clark Ross, who led a British expedition from 1839-43 which penetrated the Ross Sea and discovered the Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo Sound and Ross Island. The two main peaks of Ross Island are named after his ships "Erebus" and "Terror". Britain claimed the Ross Sea area in 1887, and in 1923 placed the region under the jurisdiction of the Governor-General of New Zealand. Scott Base, on Ross Island, was established in 1957 to support New Zealand's participation in the International Geophysical Year scientific research programme, and as a base for the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Since then, this base has been continuously occupied by support staff and scientists. Other bases are at Vanda Station, near Lake Vanda in the Dry Valleys region, and Cape Bird, 100 km north of Scott Base. Both are used for only part of the year. Vanda Station was established in 1968, specifically for the purpose of studying the climatic variations of the Dry Valley region. New Zealand
geologists have also contributed to the study of past climate, where much of the research has been undertaken through New Zealand's major involvement in the first deepdrilling programmes in Antarctica recently conducted in McMurdo Sound and the Dry Valley area. New Zealand biologists have gained considerable knowledge about the primitive forms of life that survive in the narrow life-support zones of the Antarctic. Birds, seals and fish have been found to have unique body mechanisms for withstanding the abnormal environment of the Antarctic. Studies by New Zealand biologists have provided data of considerable value to the wider field of human biology and medicine. In recent years, biologists have concentrated more on environmental problems and a stUdy of the Southern Ocean ecosystem, especially population dynamics of various species, including krill, which is potentially the largest resource for feeding the world's expanding millions. New Zealand has assumed responsibility for the care of historic sites associated w1h early expeditions in the Ross Sea region. The N.Z. Antarctic Society (which celebrates its 50th jubilee this year) and the Antarctic Division of the DSIR have restored huts of Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1907-09 expedition at Cape Royds and of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's 1910-13 expedition at Cape Evans. Other historic sites are located at Cape Crozier, Inexpressible Island and Cape Adare. Today, up to 300 New Zealanders are involved in Antarctica during the summer season, conducting scientific studies at Scott Base and in more remote areas of the Dependency, and providing vital support facilities. During winter up to 12 staff members stay at Scott Base to sustain important continuous scientific observations.
Stamps Available Stamps are available by mail order from the Philatelic Bureau, Wanganui, or over the counter from Philatelic Sales Centres at Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin, Hamilton, Rotorua and Gisborne.
Stamp Quantities Printed 1982 COMMEMORATIVE
+ 20c
5.0M 2.0M 1.5M 1.5M
"ARMS" (set $28.00) $4, $6, $8, $10
20c 25c 30c 35c
"DEFINITIVES" (set $11.99) 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c, 6c, 7c, 8c, 9c, 10c, 15c, 20c, 24c, 25c, 30c, 35c, 40c, 45c, 50c,60c, $1,$2, $5
1982 ROYAL WEDDING
"GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE" (set $1.55) 5c, 10c, 20c, 30c, 40c, 50c
20c + 20c
5.0M
1982 ARCHITECTURE "ROSS DEPENDENCY" (set $1.55) 5c, 1Oc, 20c, 30c, 40c, 50c
8.0M 2.0M 2.0M 2.2M
"TOKELAU DEFINITIVES" (set $1.90) 1c, 2c, 3c, 5c, 9c, 20c, 50c, $1 1982 SCENIC
Withdrawals 1 November 1983: 1983 Tokelau Transport 55,185,235,345,635,755 (set $2.18)
35c 40c 45c 70c
3.5M 3.5M 3.5M 3.5M
6 December 1983: 10c Royal (1977) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1982 HEALTH 6 December 1983: Shell Definitives 20c, 30c, 40c, 50c (set $1.40)
-----~-----24c + 2c 2.25M
-.,-.,...-....,-.,.-=-:-....,-.,.-=-=-=-=---.,...----:=--,---.,....."----,------,--,..,..---,--"..,,....-----
1 May 1984: 1983 Tokelau Traditional Games 55,185,235,345,635,755 (set $2.18)
24c + 2c 2.25M 30c + 2c 2.0M Miniature Sheet .50M
30 April 1984: 1983 Commemorative 24c, 30c, 35c, 40c, 45c (set $1.74)
1982 CHRISTMAS
30 Day 35c, 45c $1.44) 18c _ April _ _1984: _ _Commonwealth ______ _24c, __ _40c, __ _(set __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 35c 45c 30 April 1984: Rita Angus Traditional Paintings 24c, 30c, 35c, 45c (set $1.34) U
"LU~ICU
uunln\a I nle yeAR
ENDED MARCH 31,1983.
Opened Nil
"'o5ed
Rangitoto Wharf (AK) 19. 5.82 Elaine Bay (BM) 31. 5.82 Glen Massey (HN) 30. 7.82 Marokopa (HN) 20. 8.82 Browns (IN) 3. 9.82 Korokoro (WN) 22.10.82 Naumai (WR) 29.10.82 Portland Island (NA) 30.10.82 Cuvier Island (AK) 25.11.82 Rakino Island (AK) 21.12.82 Tahakopa (DN) 24. 2.83 North New Brighton (CH) 4. 2.83 Manawaora (WR) 18. 3.83 Kopara (GM) 28. 3.83
1982 TOKELAU 105 225 345 60s
20.0M 3.0M 3.0M HANDICRAFTS .25M .25M .25M .25M
1982 TOKELAU -
FISHING
55 185 235 345 635 755
.25M .25M .25M .25M .25M .25M