During NZ Music Month, NZ Post announced a special commemorative stamp issue celebrating the musical legacy of one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most beloved sons. 

It’s well known that Sir Dave Dobbyn is the hand and voice behind classic Kiwi songs like Loyal, Welcome Home and Slice of Heaven, among many other hits. Dobbyn, who has been making music since the mid-1970s, has had a celebrated career spanning 50 years.

NZ Post is proud to have collaborated with Sir Dave on this set of commemorative stamps, which has a special connection for Sir Dave. 

“Wow. I never imagined having a stamp issued. Man, it's weird” says Sir Dave. “In our courting days, we [Sir Dave and wife Anneliesje] wrote each other a letter every day and it created a great bond. I miss that. So I guess I'm in for a licking after all. Thank you NZ Post, I hope to post you some letters really soon.” 

This collection is a celebration of Sir Dave’s impressive career. After a few years with his first band, Th’ Dudes, Sir Dave went on to lead DD Smash in the early ‘80s. He launched his solo career by writing the soundtrack for the animated feature film Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. In 1988 Dobbyn released his debut album, Loyal, at No 1. The album’s title song is listed at number three in APRA’s 2001 ‘Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time’.

Designer and musician Chris Jones was delighted to be able to commemorate one of his icons.

“He’s an exceptional lyricist, let alone performer. So to sit down together and look back at almost 50 years of brilliant songwriting was a complete privilege. Allowing those lyrics to drive the collection was something we settled on pretty early in the process.” said Jones.

This is the third consecutive commemorative stamp issue from NZ Post highlighting Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa NZ Music Month. The Sir Dave Dobbyn commemorative stamp issue is now available to order online and can be found in select NZ Post stores.