NZ Post describes this issue: -
This series of stamps celebrated the use of our natural resources – from Greenstone to Oamaru Stone, Paua, Kauri, Flax and Ferns. These materials are strongly connected to our national identity and have been used by New Zealanders to create items of enduring beauty and versatility. Each stamp tells the visual story of the raw material brought to life as a piece of art. The designs of the art and the colour schemes also reflect our national character.
The use of raw, natural and well-known New Zealand resources gave these stamps a special significance for all of us, as do the symbols created from them. This uniquely New Zealand collection provided a wonderful portrait of our land and the people who live on it and also create from it. With the simplicity of the designs, the vibrancy of the colours, the unusual block sets, we have attempted to reflect the true kiwi spirit and our attachment to it through the land.
Unique to this issue are the blocks created for each denomination. They were made by using a 90-degree rotation of each stamp, creating a sense of what the completed work of art looked like. They recognised the patterns that occur naturally and which are so often duplicated in art. Under each value, you will find one of these special block plus the First Day Cover that goes with it.
The Stamps and Art Blocks.
40c - Pounamu / Greenstone.
Pounamu or Greenstone is renowned for its rich colours and a high degree of translucency. It is regarded as a treasure of immense spiritual and material value and has been used as the raw material for tools, weapons and ornaments.
40c - Pounamu / Greenstone FDC. 40c - Pounamu / Greenstone Block of Four.
80c - Oamaru Stone.
Oamaru Stone is a type of limestone and can be compared with the finest in the world. It has been used as a building material since 1860. Its excellence comes from the fine-grained, even texture and freedom from impurities. The stone is used by many of our nation’s sculptors.
80c - Oamaru Stone FDC. 80c - Oamaru Stone Block of Four.
90c - Paua.
Paua comes from a shellfish unique to our waters. The polished shell has been used for personal ornaments and as inlay in ritual carvings. Colours vary from greens and pinks to purples and blues. More than just a colourful material, it has become a symbol of the nation.
90c - Paua FDC. 90c - Paua Block of Four.
$1.30 - Kauri Gum.
Kauri is a native timber which has been a natural resource for over 45,000 years. The long straight, branchless trunks produce durable straight-grained timber. Its resin, once greatly prized in quality paints, varnishes and polishes, is now used for jewellery.
$1.30 - Kauri Gum FDC. $1.30 - Kauri Gum Block of Four.
$1.50 - Flax.
Flax or harakeke is a perennial herb with leaves that grow in fans and can be found throughout New Zealand. It has been and still is, used for everything from clothing to cords, fishing lines, fishing nets, baskets and mats.
$1.50 - Flax FDC. $1.50 - Flax Block of Four.
$2.00 - Silver Fern.
There are about 180 species of fern in New Zealand. Depicted here is a silver-dipped frond. The silver fern is a part of New Zealand’s identity, our people, our stories, our achievements and our place in the world.
$2.00 - Silver Fern FDC. $2.00 - Silver Fern Block of Four.
The Covers.
First Day Cover - 4th April 2001.
A business cover sent from Manawatu to The Netherlands using the $2.00 value.
Technical information
Date of issue:
| 4 April 2001 |
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Designer:
| Cato Partners, Wellington, New Zealand |
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Printer:
| Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand |
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Stamp size:
| 35mm x 35mm |
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Sheet size:
| 25 stamps |
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Paper type:
| 103gsm De La Rue red phosphor coated |
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Perforation:
| 14.25 |
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| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 3 April 2002. |
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Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
Information for this post came from.
