75th Anniversary of the Navy

Single $1.00 'The loss of HMS Neptune' gummed stamp.

On 19 December 1941 the cruiser HMS Neptune was lost in an enemy minefield off the North African coast. 757 officers and ratings lost their lives, with Able Seaman John Norman Walton being the sole survivor. Amongst those lost were 150 New Zealanders who had joined the ship in preparation for its transfer to the RNZN, including the 19-year-old twins Bruce and William Anderson of Kohimarama, featured on this stamp. The sinking of Neptune led to the greatest loss of life ever suffered by the RNZN in a single action or incident.

Single $1.00 'Conflict in Korea' gummed stamp.

During the Korean War six RNZN frigates, HMNZS Rotoiti, Pukaki (pictured on this stamp), Hawea, Taupo, Kaniere and Tutira, were deployed to the UN naval forces operating off Korea. Two frigates were kept on station at all times. From shore bombardments to escort work, the frigates helped the land forces and secured the seas. Approximately 1,350 officers and ratings served and in their eight tours of duty the New Zealand ships steamed a total of 339,584 miles and fired 71,625 rounds of ammunition in action. The deployment ran from July 1950 to March 1954.

Single $1.80 'Women at sea' gummed stamp.

In order to free men from shore-based tasks, women first entered the RNZN in 1942 with the formation of the WRNZNS. The Wrens made a critical contribution in the fields of signalling and intelligence, and were also employed as drivers, boat crews and watchkeepers at headquarters ashore. 2016 marked the 30th anniversary of women first being posted to a seagoing ship, HMNZS Monowai. By the mid-1990s women were serving alongside men at sea in all our ships. Today women make up 22 per cent of naval personnel, can serve in any trade and are critical to the ongoing success of the Navy.

Single $2.20 'Supporting the United Nations' gummed stamp.

Since the 1960s the RNZN has supported the UN by sending ships and personnel on peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations. Our ships assisted in East Timor in 1999 and our frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana (featured on this stamp during her 2004 deployment), have operated with multinational naval forces in the Indian Ocean region, conducting counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics and anti-piracy operations. Te Kaha conducted a successful maritime security patrol in 2015, intercepting several drug smugglers and seizing more than 260 kilograms of heroin.

Single $2.70 'Disaster relief in Christchurch' gummed stamp.

The RNZN plays a significant role in humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and responded swiftly to the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. When the February 2011 earthquake struck, HMNZS Canterbury, Otago and Pukaki immediately rendered assistance, providing emergency food and shelter. Canterbury later carried emergency supplies to Lyttelton, while HMNZS Resolution carried out hydrographic survey operations in Akaroa and Lyttelton Harbours. Canterbury has also undertaken relief operations throughout the Pacific following natural disasters.

Single $3.30 'The Navy family' gummed stamp.

People come from all over New Zealand to serve in the RNZN, and the Navy’s core values of Courage, Commitment and Comradeship are instilled in recruits from the first day of service. Comradeship demands that members of the RNZN work together as an effective team, as they serve at the naval base and abroad for long periods of time. Their families who remain at home form an important part of the Navy’s wider whānau; without their ongoing support the Navy wouldn’t be able to advance New Zealand’s interests at sea.

The presentation pack contained the set of six stamps, the miniature sheet and the first day cover. It has been written by Michael Wynd, Researcher at the National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and tells the story of the Navy's past 75 years..

A limited edition was also included in this issue, which was limited to 2,000 copies. It included a 20-page booklet detailing the history of the RNZN. Inside you also found a uniquely designed first day cover signed by Rear Admiral John Martin, ONZM, Chief of Navy; a unique, numbered miniature sheet incorporating the six stamps; colour separations of the $3.30 stamp and a block of the six stamps.