#321 New Zealand...Thanks Alejandro!

The $1.80 stamp is from 2010 The ANZAC Series: Remembrance,which is the third release in the series. The stamp shows Nurses Place Wreath in Cairo Cemetery.

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I.

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a Federal Commonwealth for thirteen years. In 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of an Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula, under a plan by Winston Churchill to open the way to the Black Sea for the Allied navies. The objective was to capture Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany. The ANZAC force landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish Army commanded by Mustafa Kemal (later known as Atatürk). What had been planned as a bold strike to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the Allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. The Allied Gallipoli casualties included 21,255 from the UK, an estimated 10,000 dead soldiers from France, 8,709 from Australia, 2,721 from New Zealand, and 1,358 from British India. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Istanbul and knocking Ottoman Empire out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity in both countries. This has shaped the way their citizens have viewed both their past and their understanding of the present.

#262 New Zealand...Thanks Lois!

The $1 stamp was issued on Apr.30,2010 celebrating New Zealand's participation at Expo 2010 Shanghai showing Kaitiaki and Fu Dog.

Both the Māori kaitiaki and China’s Fu Dog have similar roles. Kaitiaki are carers, guardians, protectors and conservers of the sky, sea and land, while pairs of Fu Dogs (also known as guardian lions, lion dogs and temple lions) can be found outside many Chinese homes and businesses, providing powerful protection against bad fortune. Eight kaitiaki, one of which is featured on this stamp, were carved by Lyonel Grant for the New Zealand pavilion, each different from the next. They adorn the railings that zigzag through the garden at the pavilion.

The 30c stamp is from 2009 Scenic Definitives showing Tolaga Bay,which is both a bay and small town on the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island.

The region around the bay is rugged and remote, and for many years the only access to the town was by boat. Because the bay is shallow, a long wharf - the longest in New Zealand - was built to accommodate visiting vessels. This wharf is now in threat and a committee from the township are appealing for funds and technical help to restore and save it.

#139 New Zealand...Thanks Alejandro!

The 20c stamp was issued on Jul.29, 1981 celebrating Prince Charles & Lady Diana's Royal Wedding,showing St.Paul's Cathedral in London.

The 30c stamp was 1982 Health issue depicting English Cocker Spaniel which is an active, good-natured, sporting gun dog.

On the back of this cover is 2001 Lord of Rings:The Fellowship of the Rings FDC.

The Lord of the Rings is a set of three motion pictures that form Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings . Jackson filmed The Lord of the Rings film trilogy in New Zealand.

#138 New Zealand...Thanks Alejandro!

The four 50c stamps are from 2009 A Tiki Tour of New Zealand issue depicting Invercargill,Dunedin,Stewart Island and Chatham Islands respectively.

Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff, which is the southernmost town in the South Island.

Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. The city has a population of 123,700 (June 2009 estimate) and is the sixth-largest urban area in New Zealand. For historic, cultural, and geographic reasons, Dunedin is considered to be one of New Zealand's four major urban centres.

Stewart Island is the third-largest island of New Zealand. It lies 30 km south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait. Its permanent population is slightly over 400 people, most of whom live in the settlement of Oban. Captain Cook was the first European to sight the island in 1770, but he thought it was part of the South Island so named it South Cape.

The archipelago of the Chatham Islands is a New Zealand territory in the Pacific Ocean consisting of about ten islands within a 40 kilometres (25 mi) radius, the largest of which are Chatham Island and Pitt Island. These remote islands, over 800 kilometres (500 mi) east of southern New Zealand, have officially been part of New Zealand since 1842.

The 1$ stamp on the right corner is from 1999 Native Flowers & Trees issue depicting Kowhai (Sophora tetratera),which are small, woody legume trees native to New Zealand. Kowhai trees grow throughout the country and are a common feature in New Zealand gardens.

#094 New Zealand...Thanks Paula

These 3 stamps were issued in Nov.2009 honoring Sir Peter Blake (1948-2001),who is an extremely passionate New Zealander and achieved success at many different levels – as an inspirational leader, a skilled yachtsman, a record breaker and as an ardent environmentalist.

The stamp issue captures five aspects of Sir Peter's life, with each image telling a unique story of his successes.

The 50 cent stamp is a portrait of Sir Peter and recognises his leadership and his ability to empower those around him.

The $1.00 stamp shows him at the helm of his 1989–1990 Whitbread Steinlager 2 yacht in which he gained an unprecedented perfect performance with line, handicap and overall honours for all six legs of the Whitbread Round the World Race.

In 1994 Sir Peter and his co-skipper, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, were the inaugural winners of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Sailor of the Year Award after breaking the world record for the Jules Verne Challenge. This feat is recognised on the $1.80 stamp.

On the $2.30 stamp he is pictured in 1995 with international sport's oldest trophy, the America's Cup, after he led Team New Zealand in bringing the Cup to New Zealand for the first time.

The $2.80 stamp honours his work as an environmentalist, generating public awareness of environment threats, particularly to water. After creating his own organisation, blakexpeditions, and being appointed a United Nations Environment Programme Special Envoy in 2001, his journey was tragically cut short when he was shot and killed by pirates in the Amazon River.

#060 New Zealand...Thanks Paola!

These 3 stamps are from 2009 Matariki (Maori Year) issue beginning from Jun.24,2009.

Matariki is a traditional Maori festival to celebrate and to prepare the ground for the coming year. Offerings of the produce of the land were made to the gods, including Rongo, god of cultivated food. This time of the year was also a good time to instruct young people in the lore of the land and the forest. In addition, certain birds and fish were especially easy to harvest at this time.

This year New Zealand Post honours heitiki as an icon of Maori art.

The hei-tiki is an ornamental neck pendant of the Māori. Hei-tiki are usually made of greenstone and worn around the neck. One theory of the origin of the hei-tiki suggests a connection with Tiki, the first man in Māori legend. There are two main ideas behind the symbolism of hei-tiki: they are either memorials to ancestors, or represent the goddess of childbirth.