Whanau Marama-Family of Light Stamps issued by New Zealand

Whanau Marama-Family of Light Stamps issued by New Zealand

Tamanuiterā (the Sun) and Marama (the Moon) together with Ngā Whetū Matariki (the Pleiades Star Cluster) make up the family of heavenly bodies known as Te Whānau Mārama (the Family of Light).

This stamp issue celebrates Matariki, the Māori New Year, in 2021 with stories of the Sun and the Moon.

$1.50 Marama: Where art thou, Rona? – After abusing Marama for hiding behind a cloud, Marama captured and pulled Rona her to her, where she now resides forever.

$2.80 Marama: The eye of the night – The bright face of Marama and her lunar phases (maramataka) help Māori to interact with the stars of Matariki.

$3.60 Tamanuiterā: Fast to rise, fast to set – Using his grandmother’s jawbone, Māui and his brothers slow the journey of Tamanuiterā across the sky to make the day longer.

$4.10 Tamanuiterā: Summer path, winter path – Tamanuiterā has two wives, Hineraumati (summer) and Hinetakurua (winter). The Matariki star cluster is positioned differently during each of the seasons.

Date of issue: 2 June 2021
Number of stamps: Four gummed
Denominations: $1.50, $2.80, $3.60 & $4.10
Designed and illustrated by: Dave Burke, Tauranga, New Zealand
Printer and process: Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by lithography
Number of colours: Four process colours
Stamp size and format: 45.6mm x 35mm (horizontal)
Miniature sheet size and format: 180mm x 90mm (horizontal)
Paper type: Tullis Russell 106gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper
Number of stamps per sheet: 25
Perforation gauge: 14.78 x 14.86
Special blocks: Plate/imprint blocks may be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks are available in A and B formats.
Period of sale: Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 1 June 2022. First day covers will remain on sale until 28 July 2021.