Based around fishing practices, inati is the tradition of sharing all food equally between households.
Issue information
Unique to Tokelau, inati is a traditional community fishing and distribution system that is still practised today. The act of sharing food proportionally helps these isolated island communities to ensure the wellbeing of all households, big and small. These charming illustrated stamps highlight four traditional foods of Tokelau - taro, breadfruit, fish and coconut.
Product Listing for Tokelau Inati - Equal Portions
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 45c 'Talo | Taro' gummed stamp. Taro is a staple in Tokelau, imported to the island from Samoa. The root of the taro plant is versatile and has a nutty flavour that works in both sweet and savoury dishes. |
$0.45 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.40 'Fuāulu | Breadfruit' gummed stamp. This starchy fruit tastes similar to potatoes and, when cooked, has a bread-like quality. It serves as a staple in many Pacific countries and one of few abundant crops in Tokelau. |
$1.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.00 'Ika | Fish' gummed stamp. All men in the community are required to help with fishing. The lunar calendar is used to aid understanding of fish migration patterns, and the best times and places to catch certain species. |
$2.00 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $3.00 'Popo | Coconut' gummed stamp. A popular and versatile staple across the Pacific, coconut trees are a common sight on the atolls of Tokelau. |
$3.00 |
 |
Miniature Sheet | Mint, used or cancelled gummed miniature sheet. | $6.85 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with four gummed stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.35 |
 |
Miniature Sheet First Day Cover | First day cover with gummed miniature sheet affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.35 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 1 May 2019 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | 45c, $1.40, $2.00 & $3.00 |
| Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by: | Saint Andrew Matautia, 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: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 16 |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.33 |
| Special blocks: | Plate blocks and value blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 30 April 2020. |