Ours is a unique country that’s recognised around the world for its caring nature, love of sport and innovative spirit. In 2007, four significant organisations that have helped shape our culture of today celebrated their centenary.
Issue information
Plunket, Home of Compassion, Scouting and New Zealand Rugby League are all well-known, well-respected organisations that have played a large part in the lives of New Zealanders. The 2007 Centenaries stamp issue made it possible for you to share in the centenary celebrations.
Home of Compassion
Suzanne Aubert (1835-1926), founder of the Sisters of Compassion, has been acclaimed as one of New Zealand’s greatest women. She opened Our Lady’s Home of Compassion in Island Bay, Wellington, in 1907 to care for babies, children, the disabled, and extended it to establish a hospital to nurse the sick and elderly. Other Homes were built and today the Sisters continue the good work of Suzanne Aubert, throughout the Pacific.
World Scouting
An experimental camp run by Robert Baden-powell on Brownsea Island (UK) in 1907 saw the beginning of the largest youth movement in the world. In 1908 Lt. Col. David Cossgrove (1852/1920) organised this movement in New Zealand. He had met Baden-Powell in South Africa while on army service there. The two had similar ideas and values, teaching boys and girls moral values, patriotism, discipline and life skills through outdoor games and activities. Today there are more than 28 million scouts in 216 countries and territories around the world.
Plunket Society
The Plunket movement began on 14 May 1907, when Dr Frederic Truby King (1858-1937) won the support of Dunedin women to form a society that would ‘help mothers and save the babies’. Today, Plunket continues to play a vital role in the lives of young families around the country. Plunket is now the largest provider of services to support the health and development of children under five.
New Zealand Rugby League
In August 1907, a pioneering New Zealand rugby league team toured England, Wales, Ceylon and Australia playing 49 matches, winning 29, drawing three and incredibly winning both inaugural test series against Great Britain and Australia. It was an incredible feat as the New Zealanders, on leaving their shores, didn’t know the rules and English league had been established for over 12 years. The inaugural captain of the league team was Hercules Richard Wright, a powerfully-built man aptly nicknamed ‘Bumper’.
Product Listing for 2007 Centenaries
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 50c 'Home of Compassion' gummed stamp. The 50c stamp featured a classroom scene at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion and Sister Suzanne Aubert. |
$0.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 50c 'World Scouting' gummed stamp. The 50c stamp shows Lt Col David Cossgrove, and early Scouts learning self-reliance. |
$0.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 50c 'The Plunket Society' gummed stamp. The 50c stamp depicts Dr Truby King, and a Plunket nurse caring for a baby in the 1920s. |
$0.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 50c 'New Zealand Rugby League' gummed stamp. The first rugby league team of New Zealand, the ‘All Golds’, is shown in the 50c stamp. |
$0.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.00 'Centenary of the Plunket Society' gummed stamp. The $1.00 stamp represents Plunket as it is today. |
$1.00 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.50 'Centenary of Home of Compassion' gummed stamp. The $1.50 stamp depicted the continuing good work of Suzanne Aubert today. |
$1.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.00 'World Scouting' gummed stamp. Today, Scouting still teaches traditional values as shown on the $2.00 stamp. |
$2.00 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.00 'New Zealand Rugby League' gummed stamp. The $2.00 stamp showed the modern-day 'Kiwi' team. |
$2.00 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $9.00 |
| Se-tenant Set |
| Se-tenant Set |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 24 April 2007 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Eight gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | 50c, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00 |
| Stamps and first day cover designed by: | Stephen Fuller, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 40mm x 30mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | 104g Tullis Russell red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 20 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 x 14 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six sheet stamps for $1.00 or $1.50 value. Eight sheet stamps for 50c value, and $2.00 value. Barcode blocks were available in both A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 23 April 2008. |