This year Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau (Tokelau Language Week) ran from 23 October to 29 October, and celebrated the culture and language of this tiny island nation.
Issue information
With the majority of Tokelauans living outside of Tokelau it is vital to encourage the use of the Tokelau language. 2016 marked the third year we've celebrated Tokelau language week with a set of stamps.
This year’s issue promoted Tokelau's sustainable food system, featuring healthy food items grown or sourced locally in Tokelau. Each stamp included one traditional food item as well as its Tokelauan and English name.
Product Listing for Tokelau Language Week 2016
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 45c 'Popo (Coconut)' gummed stamp. Popo, or coconut is a staple food in the Tokealuan diet as it is easily obtained, requires little preparation and provides drink as well as food. |
$0.45 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.40 'Ugauga (Coconut crab)' gummed stamp. Growing up to a metre in length and living primarily on land, the coconut crab offers an abundance of quality meat, said to have a rich buttery taste. |
$1.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.00 'Ika (Fish)' gummed stamp. Tokelau’s waters are home to a diverse range of marine life. Having mastered many different fishing techniques, Tokelauans live primarily off food from the ocean. |
$2.00 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Sinlge $3.00 'Fuāulu (Breadfruit)' gummed stamp. Breadfruit is one of Tokelau’s few agricultural crops. This unique fruit is said to have a starchy texture and a fragrance that is reminiscent of freshly baked bread. |
$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: | 5 October 2016 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed stamps |
| Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by: | Richard Payne, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Collectables and Solutions Centre, New Zealand Post, Whanganui, New Zealand |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 40mm x 30mm (horizontal) |
| 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 4 October 2017. |