Construction of a Nation stamps from New Zealand Post

New Zealand Post's new Construction of a Nation issue looks at the different styles of housing created since the first European settlers came to New Zealand. The five stamps feature different types of housing, most of which can still be seen in various areas of the country in the present day.

A New Zealand Post news report about the issue said: 'The housing styles in this issue reflect the materials available at the time and illustrate a response to climate and a way of living different from those in other countries. The Construction of a Nation stamp issue reflects New Zealand’s humble architectural beginnings, and the five housing styles portrayed are the colonial cottage, the villa, the Californian bungalow, Art Deco and the state house.'

The five stamps in the issue are:

• 70c Colonial Cottage - A simple, square dwelling resembling modest homes in the UK
• $1.40 Villa - A more complex home, centred around a hallway, with different regional styles emerging over time
• $1.90  Californian Bungalow - A post World War I home which represented a new, modern way of living
• $2.40 Art Deco - A new style which transferred to New Zealand from Europe, with clean, simple lines
• $2.90 State House - The result of a national programme from the 1935 government to allow workers access to affordable and quality housing

Construction of a Nation issue details

Issue date: 5 March 2014
Printer: Southern Colour Print Ltd
Perforation gauge: 14

To purchase the stamps, visit the New Zealand Post website.

(Images copyright New Zealand Post)

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