Trail’s stamp of approval
The 90 Mile Beach stamp, near where Te Araroa Trail begins. Ninety Mile Beach is one of six iconic Te Araroa trail locations that have provided the images for a NZ Post stamp series.
Te Araroa Trust chief executive Mark Weatherall said the stamps would bring back fond memories for anyone who had walked the 3000km trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
The other North Island locations were the Karamu Walkway, in the Waikato, and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on the Central Plateau, the South Island contributing Tasman’s Nelson Lakes, the Stag Saddle, in Canterbury, and Lake Hawea, in Otago.
Mr Weatherall said it was humbling to see the trail appear on stamps issued by the national postal service. “They say you’ve made it if you’re on a postage stamp, so this is a great honour for Te Araroa trail,” he said.
“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 had been a privilege to work with Te Araroa Trust to bring to life this year’s scenic stamp issue, showcasing the country’s longest trail and featuring some of its beautiful landscapes.
The stamps were 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. They are available in $1.30, $2.60, $3.30 and $4 denominations.
Their release was timed for the start of the 2018-2019 walking season, which officially begins on October 1. In the 2018-2019 season more than 1100 people walked the length of Te Araroa.