New Zealand's first round postage stamp featured quite appropriately New Zealand's own unique bird species - the kiwi. Found nowhere else in the world, this flightless, nocturnal bird is New Zealand's national symbol - the kiwi and New Zealand are instantly associated all round the world.
Issue information
The Māori motif around the border represents the kōwhai tree flower - symbolising the continuous cycle of life.
This stamp was initially produced in a green colour, in booklets of six stamps. There were later printings in sheet format which included the red kiwi issued 17 April 1991, the blue kiwi issued 9 June 1993, the purple kiwi issued 18 June 1997 and a purple overprinted selvedge issued 31 December 1999. The first three printings of this stamp were by Leigh-Mardon by intaglio with the red and blue printings in sheets of 24 stamps. The purple printing was produced by Southern Colour Print by lithography in sheets of 36 stamps. The stamp was engraved by G T Prosser of the British American Banknote Inc. Canada from a design completed by Allan Mitchell.
Product listing for 1988 Green Round Kiwi
Click on image to enlarge.
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp | Single $1.00 'Green Kiwi' gummed stamp. | $1.00 |
|
|
First Day Cover | First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $1.08 |
|
|
Booklet | Booklet containing 6 x $1.00 gummed stamps. | $6.00 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 19 October 1988 |
|---|---|
| Designer: | Allan Mitchell, Wellington |
| Printers: | Leigh-Mardon, Australia; Southern Colour Print, New Zealand |
| Stamp size: | 33mm diameter |
| Sheet size: | Originally issued in booklets of six (green) stamps |
| Process: | Recess printed - Intaglio and Lithography |
| Perforation gauge: | 14.5 |
| Paper type: | Red phosphor coated and unwatermarked. |
