Penguins

New Zealand - Penguin Capital of the World.  The six species of penguin depicted on these stamps breed in New Zealand, giving us a greater diversity than anywhere else and fair claim to the title of penguin capital of the world.

Rockhopper - 40c
Sometimes called the punk-rockers of penguins for their spiky head plumage.

Little Blue Penguin - 80c
Just 25 centimetres tall and one kilogram in weight, this is the world's smallest penguin.

Snares Crested Penguin - 90c
One of the three crested species featured in this issue that only breed in New Zealand.

Erect-crested Penguin - $1.30
This penguin is an inhabitant of our sub-antarctic islands, living in huge colonies mainly on the Antipodes and Bounty Islands.

Fiordland Crested Penguin - $1.50
Only 3,000 breeding pairs remain of this relatively timid penguin that breeds in the rainforests along the rugged coastline of the south-west New Zealand.

Yellow-eyed Penguin - $2.00
Many New Zealanders have supported recent conservation efforts to protect the remaining population of around 1,600 pairs.

 Technical details

Date of Issue: 7 November 2001
Designer: CommArts Design, Wellington, New Zealand Printer: Southern Colour Print, New Zealand
Stamp Size: 40.61mm x 35mm
Sheet Size: 50 stamps
Process: Lithography
Perforation Gauge: 14.25
Paper Type: De La Rue 103gsm red phosphor coated