New Zealand Post has chosen traditional and contemporary images to tell the Christmas story in its 2009 Christmas stamp issue.
The six stamps consist of three traditional Christmas stamps, featuring nativity scenes by Wellington artist Stephen Fuller, and three contemporary stamps depicting what New Zealand children 'love about Christmas'. The contemporary images are the winning entries from New Zealand Post's Design a Stamp competition earlier this year.
"Although the story of Christmas may be the same across the world, most people have their own ways of celebrating and reflecting on this special time," says Ivor Masters, New Zealand Post’s General Manager Stamps. "It is exciting to be able to combine both contemporary and traditional images and stories for this issue."
The traditional designs follow the religious icon style, capturing three well known Christmas scenes. The 50 cent stamp shows three shepherds next to the manger where Jesus was born; Mary, Joseph and the newborn baby Jesus are on the $1.00 stamp; and the Magi - Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior - bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, are on the $1.80 stamp.
The children's Design a Stamp Christmas images include a summer beach scene with a pohutukawa tree, a New Zealand pigeon wearing a Christmas hat, and a Christmas tree with presents and a child standing next to it.
The two approaches are mirrored in two separate Christmas 2009 first day covers.
Christmas Mailing Dates
New Zealand Post has also established 2009 mailing dates to help New Zealanders get their Christmas mail out on time.
The mailing date for Australia and the South Pacific using the International Economy service is Monday 30 November. Monday 23 November is the date for International Economy for mail going to the rest of the world.
International Air, International Economy Courier and International Express services are available for those who wish to send later or have missed the mailing dates for International Economy.
| Service |
Zone A&B Australia and South Pacific |
Rest of the World
(Zone C, D & E) |
| International Economy |
Mon 30 November |
Mon 23 November |
| International Air |
Mon 7 December |
Mon 30 November |
| International Economy Courier |
Mon 14 December |
Thurs 10 December |
| International Express Courier |
Wed 16 December |
Mon 14 December |
For Christmas mail around New Zealand the recommended dates are Monday 21 December for Standard Post and Wednesday 23 December for PastPost.
ENDS
For more information:
Ivor Masters
General Manager Stamps
Tel: 04 496 4420
Fax: 04 496 4033
Email: ivor.masters@nzpost.co.nz
James Te Puni
Sales and Marketing Manager
Tel: 04 496 4522
Mob: 027 226 1435
Email: james.tepuni@nzpost.co.nz
All products are available for purchase from 7 October 2009 at all New Zealand PostShops, REAL Aotearoa stores in Christchurch and Auckland, the Wanganui Collectables and Solutions Centre and online at www.nzpost.co.nz/stamps.