New Zealand Post is today launching the KiwiStamp™, which for the first time does not carry a face value.

The innovative stamp series features imagery reflecting the Kiwi lifestyle, Postal Services chief executive Peter Fenton said.

“The KiwiStamp™ holds its value even if postage increases. It works in exactly the same way as a postage included envelope. Even if postage increases, customers can use the KiwiStamp™ without having to buy additional stamps,” Mr Fenton said.

“The KiwiStamp™ is convenient and easy to use. If you have the right number of the new stamps on your domestic letter, you know the postage is taken care of,” Mr Fenton said.

Because non-denominated stamps, like the KiwiStamp™, simplify postage and provide people with certainty, they are increasingly common in a number of countries, including the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.

The new KiwiStamp™ series features ten images including a State Highway 1 sign, a kiwifruit, summer holidays in a caravan, beach cricket and a number 8 wire fence.

Existing stamps will remain valid at their face value and New Zealand Post will continue to issue commemorative stamps celebrating New Zealand, its people and culture, Mr Fenton said.

There would be no increase in domestic postage in 2009, however an increase could not be ruled out in the future, Mr Fenton said.

The KiwiStamp™ is designed for easy use on domestic Standard Post and FastPost letters but can be applied to make up postage on international items and domestic parcels.

The new stamp will become the standard unit of postage for domestic mail. For instance, one KiwiStamp™ will cover the postage of a Standard Post medium letter domestically. Two will be needed to send the same letter FastPost.

The table below details how many of the new stamps customers need to apply for the different domestic letter sizes:

 The KiwiStamp™ series is available as a booklet of 10 stamps (recommended retail price $5), a sheet of 50 (recommended retail price $25) or a dispenser box of 100 (recommended retail price $50). Single 50 cent denominated stamps will continue to be available.

Ends

For more information, please contact:
Keith FitzPatrick
Media Communications Manager
New Zealand Post Group
(04)  496 4566
(027)  453 9882