Te Araroa trail celebrated in New Zealand postage stamp series

Six of the Te Araroa trail's most spectacular and scenic locations have been immortalised in a new series of postage stamps released today by NZ Post.

Celebrating some of the stunning locations found along New Zealand’s national walking trail, the stamps feature photos that will bring back fond memories for anyone who has walked the 3,000 km trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

The North Island locations shown on the new stamps are Ninety Mile Beach in Northland, Karamu Walkway in Waikato, and Tongariro Alpine Crossing on the Central Plateau. The South Island stamps depict Nelson Lakes in Tasman, Stag Saddle in Canterbury, and Lake Hawea in Otago.

Advising that it is “humbling” to see the trail appear on stamps issued by New Zealand’s national postal service, Te Araroa Trust Chief Executive Mark Weatherall commented “they say you’ve made it if you’re on a postage stamp, so this is a great honour for Te Araroa trail.

“We were thrilled to be approached about this new series and we’ve enjoyed working with NZ Post to suggest featured locations and provide information about different trail sections.”

NZ Post Head of Stamps and Coins Antony Harris said it was a privilege to work with Te Araroa Trust to bring the annual scenic stamp issue Te Araroa Trail to life.

Harris explained “through NZ Post's scenic stamp issue Te Araroa Trail we showcase New Zealand's longest trail that stretches the length of Aotearoa - from Cape Reinga to Bluff. The stamps feature some of the beautiful landscapes encountered on this spectacular 3,000 km long journey."

The Te Araroa Trail stamp series was designed by NZ Post’s Hannah Fortune using photos generously contributed by Te Araroa walkers Amos Chapple, David Lemaire, Jay Conlon, Dylan Moron, Annika Ananias and Helen Olmas. The stamps are available in $1.30, $2.60, $3.30 and $4.00 denominations.

Their release comes in the lead-up to the start of the 2018/19 walking season, which begins on 1st October.

In the 2018/19 season more than 1,100 people walked the length of Te Araroa trail. Tens of thousands more walked individual sections after work, during the weekends, and in their holidays.

Images shows stamps from the Te Araroa Trail scenic stamp issue, released today.