Predator Free 2050

Single $1.20 'Tuneful backyards' gummed stamp.

Neighbourhoods with backyards teeming with native species, where sounds of the tūī, hihi (stitchbird) and tīeke (saddleback) create a melodic dawn chorus, would be idyllic for most New Zealanders. The tūī thrives on nectar from flowering flax and kōwhai and is distinctive with its white throat tuffs. The hihi and the tīeke are both on the endangered species list. These wondrous birds won’t proliferate without the removal of predators like stoats, rats and possums.

Single $1.20 'Thriving wetland cycleways' gummed stamp.

Imagine cycling through thriving wetlands and busy rivers on the outskirts of a city, each alive with kōtuku (white herons), whio (blue ducks) and kōtare (kingfishers). Most New Zealanders won’t see a whio or kōtuku in the wild as both are endangered and only found in areas with low predator numbers. The whio, which is named after the sound of the males’ call, is well known for being printed on the $10 banknote. The Hochstetter’s frog is one of four native New Zealand species.

Single $2.40 'Picnic in the park' gummed stamp.

Enjoying the outdoors is a popular pastime for most New Zealanders. You might hear the distinctive wing flap of kereru (wood pigeon) flying low overhead or find weka pecking at your feet trying to steal your bootlaces. Imagine a predator free New Zealand where you could also share your local park with the ancient tuatara, the jewelled gecko or the kahukura (red admiral butterfly) - one of many butterflies and moths that are endemic to New Zealand.

Single $3.00 'Urban oasis' gummed stamp.

Imagine an outdoor urban cafe where the most prevalent birds, visible in the nearby pohutukawa, are New Zealand’s unique native species - the popokatea (whitehead), miromiro (tomtit), toutouwai (North Island robin) and Forbes’ parakeet. Imagine these beautiful birds being so well established in cities and towns that our children were familiar with their names and calls. Popokatea, miromiro and the friendly toutouwai can only be found in forests where predators’ numbers have been reduced, while Forbes’ parakeet is high on the endangered list.

Single $3.60 'Nocturnal wonderland' gummed stamp.

The nocturnal wildlife in New Zealand is as impressive as the creatures that come out in daylight. The great spotted kiwi, one of five species of our iconic flightless bird, is at constant risk of predation. The ruru (morepork/owl) can be found in urban environments all over the country where its haunting, melancholic call echoes in the night. Among the heaviest insects in the world, giant weta are also the largest of the weta species. And New Zealand's spectacular native giant snail (Powelliphanta) is carnivorous, feeding mainly on native earth worms.

The presentation pack included a set of five gummed stamps, a first day cover and a miniature sheet. You could find out about the predator free movement and the endangered species being brought back from the brink of extinction with words by Jessi Morgan of PFNZ, and beautiful illustrations by Wellington artist Stephen Fuller.

This was the ultimate collector's item for this issue. You could learn more about the predator free movement from businessman, environmentalist and science governor Sir Rob Fenwick. Sir Rob is co-founder and Chair of PFNZ, and also chairs The Kiwi Trust which runs Kiwis for kiwi, a charity working to save our iconic kiwi bird from extinction through targeted programs on private land. You saw the full set of Predator Free 2050 stamps in even more depth and detail with the limited edition.