| | Cat. |
Mint Unhinged |
Fine Used |
50c |
Ranginui / The origin of the Earth and Heavens |
653a |
$0.90 |
|
$0.90 |
|
50c |
Te Moana Nui a Kiwa / The Pacific Ocean |
653b |
$0.90 |
|
$0.90 |
|
$1 |
Papatuanuku / Food from the land |
653c |
$1.80 |
|
$1.80 |
|
$1.50 |
Whakapapa / Remembering our Ancestors |
653d |
$2.70 |
|
$2.70 |
|
$2 |
Takoha / Gifts as a pledge or token |
653e |
$3.60 |
|
$3.60 |
|
$2.50 |
Te Tau Hou / The New Year |
653f |
$4.50 |
|
$4.50 |
|
| |
|
Set of 6 individual stamps |
653g |
$13.70 |
|
$13.70 |
|
| |
$8 |
Miniature Sheet with two 50 cent, one $1, one $1.50, one $2 and one $2.50 stamp |
653h |
$14.40 |
|
$14.40 |
|
| ... Six Stamps : 50c (653a), 50c (653b), $1 (653c), $1.50 (653d), $2 (653e), $2.50 (653f) |
|
(i) Limited Edition Imperforate Miniature Sheet (2,000 numbered copies) |
653h1 |
$198.00 |
|
|
|
| |
|
First Day Cover - 5 June 2008 |
653i |
|
|
$15.30 |
|
| ... 50c (653a), 50c (653b), $1 (653c), $1.50 (653d), $2 (653e), $2.50 (653f) |
|
Miniature Sheet First Day Cover - 5 June 2008 |
653j |
|
|
$15.30 |
|
| ... $8 (653h) |
In the Maori language Matariki is the name of the Pleiades star cluster,
which was important for agriculture in establishing the correct time to
plant crops. The constellation is also believed to have been used by
navigators.
The first rising of the Pleiades and of Rigel (Puanga in
Maori) occurs just prior to sunrise in late May or early June, and this
indicates that the old year has ended and the new year has begun.
The actual time for celebrating Matariki varies depending on the
iwi (tribe). It has become common practice for various private and public
institutions to celebrate Matariki over the period of a week or month
anywhere from early June to late July.
In traditional times,
Matariki was a season to celebrate and to prepare the ground for the coming
year. It was also a good time to instruct young people in the lore of the
land and the forest.

The
2008
WIPA08 - Vienna International Postage Stamp Exhibition miniature sheet
also contained three stamps from this issue.