Tokelau is a group of three small atolls making them the perfect place to fish. Fishing communities in Tokelau have their own traditional methods and equipment for catching different kinds of fish, and this stamp issue looked at four of those methods used to catch atu (skipjack), laulaufau (moorish idols), manini (convict tang) and pāla (wahoo).
Issue information
As a small Pacific nation surrounded by water, Tokelau still uses various traditional fishing techniques to catch the diverse species of fish that live in their waters. The elders in the Tokelau community pass these traditional fishing techniques from generation to generation.
The techniques shown in the issue are paddling (for catching atu/skipjack), netting (for catching laulaufau/moorish idols), scoop netting (for catching manini/convict tang) and noosing for catching pāla/wahoo). These techniques use handmade equipment, and often require community involvement.
Product Listing for 2015 Traditional Tokelau Fishing
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp | Single 45c 'Paddling for Atu' gummed stamp. | $0.45 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $1.40 'Netting Manini' gummed stamp. | $1.40 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $2.00 'Laulaufau Trap' gummed stamp. | $2.00 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $3.00 'Noosing Pala' gummed stamp. | $3.00 |
 |
Miniature Sheet | Mint, used or cancelled miniature sheet. | $6.85 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with gummed stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.35 |
 |
Miniature Sheet First Day Cover | First day cover with miniature sheet affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.35 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 7 April 2015 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Set of four gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | 45c, $1.40, $2.00 and $3.00 |
| Stamps and first day covers designed by: | New Zealand Post Limited, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer: | Collectables and Solutions Centre, New Zealand Post, Whanganui, New Zealand. |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 40mm x 30mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 16 |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.33 |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 6 April 2016. |