On 21 March 2017 the Honourable Sir Toke Talagi was invested as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Niue. To honour this great achievement New Zealand Post created this commemorative stamp issue.
Issue information
Sir Toke Talagi had been Premier of Niue since 2008 and a Common Roll Founding Member of the Niue Assembly since 1999. During his years of service to Niue, Sir Toke Talagi was Niue’s first Consul General from 1981 to 1984, in Auckland, New Zealand.
On his return to Niue he became Director of Economic Affairs and five years later resigned to set up business in shipping, airline and tourism related ventures. Peleni’s Travel Agency and Toke’s Enterprises in Niue and Tastok Enterprises in Auckland are all operating successfully and serving the people of Niue. Sir Toke Talagi was appointed a Cabinet Minister in 2002 and held portfolios in finance, economics, telecommunications, education, environment and external affairs. His oversight of an expansion in the tourism industry resulted in job increases and income for locals. He initiated the construction of a new primary school and has supported the improvement of education. He spearheaded the establishment of the Polynesian Leaders Group under the auspices of the Pacific Islands Forum and was the most effective of Pacific leaders in representing the region’s concerns in the international arena.
He had been key in protecting Niue’s treasures and national language, vagahau Niue, and played a crucial role in the development of the Niue International Trust Fund, which will aid in future projects and the further development of Niue.
It is for these remarkable achievements and many more that Sir Toke Talagi was invested as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Niue, on 21 March 2017.
Individual Stamps
Two stamps and a first day cover had been created to honour Sir Toke Talagi’s achievements. Both stamps featured images of him during periods of service to Niue. The $2.40 stamp showed Sir Toke Talagi next the Niue flag while the $3.40 stamp was taken from an image of him at the 2nd Summit of Forum for India-Pacific Island Co-operation.
First Day Cover
The KNZM breast star was featured on each stamp as well on the first day cover which had a beautifully scenic image of Limu Pools in Sir Toke Talagi’s home nation of Niue.
Product Listing for The Honourable Sir Toke Talagi
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp | Single $2.40 gummed stamp. | $2.40 |
 |
Single Stamp | Single $3.40 gummed stamp. | $3.40 |
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First Day Cover | First day cover with two gummed stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $6.30 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 21 March 2017 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Two gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | $2.40 and $3.40 |
| Stamps designed by: | Jonathan Gray, New Zealand Post, 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 (vertical) |
| 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 20 March 2018. |