Thousands of New Zealand children grow up on farms and in the country, and the 2013 Children's Health stamp issue celebrated the unique ways of life of these children and their pets.
Issue information
For many children growing up in the country, pets become important members of the family, and cherished friends. Children learn valuable life skills such as responsibility, empathy and self-confidence by caring for their pets, which rely on them for food, shelter and unconditional love.
Similar life lessons are instilled in New Zealand children through the seven Children’s Health Camps throughout the country. On 18 April 2013, Te Puna Whaiora Children’s Health Camps launched its new name, Stand Children’s Services, Tū Māia Whānau. Stand Children’s Services aims to nurture the dreams and aspirations of our nation’s children, allowing them to find their tūrangawaewae, their 'place to stand’.
New Zealand Post continues to support Children's Health Camps under its new name. The 10-cent surcharge on each stamp in this issue went directly to Stand Children’s Services, and will help to ensure that vulnerable New Zealand children receive the attention and care they deserve.
The three stamps in this special issue illustrated a rural New Zealand childhood, and the special role that pets play in growing up in the country.
Country-themed Collectables
You wouldn't see a goat at a school bus-stop in Wellington or Auckland, but in the backblocks of Taranaki or Timaru it wouldn't get a second glance.
The miniature sheet and first day covers in this issue portrayed children parading their cherished farm pets at their school 'Pet Day' - a longstanding tradition in New Zealand's country schools.
Product Listing for 2013 Children's Health: Country Pets
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Stamp |
Single 70c +10c 'Lamb' gummed stamp. This 70c gummed stamp depicted a young boy in his gumboots preparing milk to feed his pet lamb. Just as children need special care as they grow up, so do our pets, and the skills children learn looking after young animals are valuable later in life. |
$0.80 | |
| Single Stamp |
Single $1.40 + 10c 'Piglet' gummed stamp. This $1.40 gummed stamp portrayed a young girl reading a story to her pet piglet and stuffed toy dragon. The endearing scene reflects the love that children feel for their pets, and the important role that pets play in the lives of children growing up in the country. |
$1.50 | |
| Single Stamp |
Single 70c + 10c 'Goat' self-adhesive stamp. This 70c self-adhesive stamp depicted a young boy alongside his cheeky pet goat that he has taken to school for ‘Pet Day’ - a popular event at which country kids share their goats, lambs, calves and other animals with their classmates. This self-adhesive stamp was also available in a sheet of 100 - perfect for your postage needs. |
$0.80 | |
| Miniature Sheet | Mint, used or cancelled miniature sheet. | $3.10 | |
| First Day Cover | First day cover with two gummed stamps and one self-adhesive stamp affixed. | $3.60 | |
| Miniature Sheet First Day Cover | First day cover with gummed miniature sheet affixed. | $3.60 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 4 September 2013 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Two gummed stamps and one self-adhesive stamp |
| Denominations: | 70c + 10c gummed and self-adhesive; $1.40 + 10c gummed |
| Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by: | Stephen Fuller, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print Ltd by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | Gummed: 30mm x 40mm (vertical); Self-adhesive: 25mm x 30mm (vertical) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper and Avery Dennison Kraft Back 210gsm |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | Gummed: 25; Self-adhesive: 100 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 3 September 2014. |