Sheet of 20 x $4.20 'Pōhutukawa and Hiwa-i-te-rangi' stamps
Pōhutukawa, a child of Matariki, is the whetū connected to those who have passed away since the previous rising of the cluster. It anchors Matariki to remembrance, grief, and the continuing relationship between the living and the dead. According to Māori belief, when a person dies their spirit travels along Te Ara Wairua, the pathway of spirits, leading north to Te Rerenga Wairua. There, spirits descend the roots (aka) of the ancient pōhutukawa tree and enter the underworld at Maurianuku. As Matariki rises, people traditionally call out the names of the dead and weep, acknowledging Pōhutukawa’s role in holding memory and guiding spirits onward.
Hiwa-i-te-rangi is associated with aspiration, promise, and abundance. It is to this whetū that people send their hopes, wishes, and intentions for the year ahead. As a child of Matariki, Hiwa-i-te-rangi embodies forward-looking energy encouraging renewal, ambition, and faith in what is yet to come. This practice is often likened to wishing upon a star, grounded firmly in Māori cosmology and seasonal renewal.
This stamp issue celebrates the Māori New Year. Click here for more information.
Check out the full range of stamp sheets here.
| Date of issue: | 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Five gummed |
| Denominations: | $3.60, $3.60, $4.20, $4.90 & $5.80. |
| Stamps and first day covers designed by: | David Hakaraia, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Brebner Print, Napier by lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours. |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Miniature sheet size and format: | 103mm x 93mm (horizontal) |
| First day cover size and format: | 205mm x 120mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell red phosphor 106gsm |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 20 |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.33 x 13.60 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks are available in A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps and first day covers will remain on sale until 30 June 2027. |
