World War Two spanned nearly six years, and during that time New Zealanders lived through immense hardship, suffering and change. Through these challenging years they connected, worked together, rallied as citizens and solved problems both abroad on the battlefields and on home soil. During the war advancements in medicine, trade and manufacturing occurred worldwide - changes that we still benefit from today.
Issue information
A cataclysmic event, the Second World War was fought out in territories, seas, and skies across the face of the earth and touched most of humanity. Notably, it would prove to be the most lethal conflict ever waged, killing some 60 million.
In 1945, the war ended with a total Allied victory over Germany and Japan marked, respectively, by VE Day and VJ Day. In the decades separating 1945 and 2020, New Zealand has experienced revolutions in politics, customs, and fashions. Consequently, the New Zealand that fought in World War Two can be difficult for modern eyes to recognise. However, towards the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, the war’s legacies remain relevant to understanding New Zealand today.
Miniature sheet booklet
Aided by historical photographs, this stamp issue reflects on the war years through 15 key themes and events. With this informative miniature sheet booklet, historian Steven Loveridge explored the ways in which the war affected New Zealanders, both overseas and at home. The booklet contained fifteen unique miniature sheets, each featuring two stamps.
First day covers
The three first day covers for this issue featured additional imagery from the war:
Spitfires: Spitfire 1As of 610 Squadron based at Biggin Hill, July 1940. Bernard Brown from New Zealand flew with the 610 but there were others who transitioned in and out during the Battle of Britain.
Jumping Men: New Zealand soldiers participating in a beach landing exercise, during amphibious training in the Pacific (exact location unknown).
Land Girls: Private Arlen Olson (left) and Corporal Al Cartwright pose for a photograph with New Zealand ‘land girls’ Dorothy Penny and Lindsay Horwell (right), who they are helping harvest crops at Patumāhoe, near Pukekohe.
Product listing for WWII 75 Years
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Set of Stamps |
Mint, used or cancelled set of 15 gummed stamps. Single stamps in this issue were: Single $1.30 'Mobilising the nation' gummed stamp. A soldier is met by a group of children in Wellington after his return from the Middle East on a hospital ship. Single $1.30 'HMS Achilles' gummed stamp. In Auckland, crowds turned out to welcome HMS Achilles, returning to New Zealand after the Battle of the River Plate. Single $1.30 'Fighter pilots' gummed stamp. New Zealand fighter pilots beside a Supermarine Spitfire in England, 15 July 1942. A single-seat fighter, the Spitfire established a formidable record during the Battle of Britain. It remains an iconic aircraft. Single $1.30 'Retreat from Crete' gummed stamp. An injured soldier assisted off a ship in Alexandria, Egypt, after the evacuation from Crete. Single $1.30 '28th (Māori) Battalion' gummed stamp. Members of the 28th (Māori) Battalion driving through the Italian town of Sora, 3 June 1944. They are (from left): Kiwi Cribb, David McClutchie, Whiwhi Winiata, Repoma Thompson and Dick Huata. Single $1.30 'Women’s War Service Auxillary' gummed stamp. Women from the Auxiliary Army Corp worked on a wide range of war-critical jobs as part of the defence effort at home. Single $1.30 'Railway Construction in Africa' gummed stamp. Men of the New Zealand Railway Construction Company laying track to be used to supply British forces in the North African desert, c. October 1941. Single $1.30 'At rest in the Pacific' gummed stamp. Members of the 3rd Division at ease at Vella Lavella, located in the Solomon Islands, c. 1944. Single $1.30 'American Servicemen in Wellington' gummed stamp. American servicemen with New Zealand women at Oriental Bay, Wellington, c. 1942. Single $1.30 'Merchant Marine' gummed stamp. Merchant seamen pose on the Union Steam Ship Company’s Kaiwarra in Auckland, December 1940, while loading Royal New Zealand Air Force planes for delivery to Fiji. Single $1.30 'Bomber Command' gummed stamp. Members of 75 (NZ) Squadron at RAF Feltwell, England. They are passing a Wellington (Mk I), a four-crew, medium bomber that served as one of Bomber Command’s principal bombers in the early years of the war. Single $1.30 'Air raid drill in Auckland' gummed stamp. Pupils and teachers at Devonport School entering air raid shelters during a drill, April 1942. Single $1.30 'Home Guard' gummed stamp. Members of the Home Guard training in Waikato. Lacking uniforms, they have been issued with identifying armbands. Single $1.30 'Monte Cassino' gummed stamp. Gordon Reid of the 4th Armoured Brigade in the ruins of Cassino, 18 May 1944. He is operating communication equipment and sits beside a Sherman tank. Single $1.30 'Peace Celebration in Wellington' gummed stamp. A Wellington crowd on VJ Day, 15 August 1945, celebrating the end of the war. |
$19.50 |
 |
First Day Cover |
Set of three first day covers with 15 gummed stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. |
$21.00 |
 |
Miniature Sheet Booklet |
Aided by historical photographs, this stamp issue reflected on the war years through 15 key themes and events. With this informative miniature sheet booklet, historian Steven Loveridge explored the ways in which the war affected New Zealanders, both overseas and at home. The booklet contained fifteen unique miniature sheets, each featuring two stamps. |
$39.90 |
Technical information
Stamps
| Date of issue: | 1 April 2020 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | 15 gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | 15 x $1.30 |
| Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by: | Nicky Dyer, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print Ltd by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours plus PMS yellow and spot overgloss |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 50mm (horizontal) |
| Stamp sheet size and format: | 180mm x 235mm (vertical) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 15 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14.40 x 14 |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 31 March 2021. First day covers remained on sale until 27 May 2020. |
Miniature sheet booklet
| Miniature sheet booklet size: | 150mm x 150mm x 7mm |
|---|---|
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 50mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Cover: advance laser offset 240gsm; Text: advance laser offset 150gsm; Miniature sheet: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours plus one PMS yellow and spot overgloss |
