This year, in celebration of Matariki, we highlight stories associated with Ngā Hau e Whā or The Four Winds. The four winds are Te Hau Rāwhiti (the easterly), Te Hau-ā-uru (the westerly), Te Hau Tonga (the southerly) and Te Hau Raki (the northerly). Hau can mean air, breath, aura, but it is best known as wind.
Issue information
The Four Winds of Aotearoa New Zealand are represented in unique designs by New Zealand artist Dave Burke.
A well-known whakataukī (proverb) encourages people to refresh themselves by returning home. E hoki ki ō maunga, kia purea koe e ngā hau o Tāwhirimātea – Return to your mountains that you may be cleansed by the winds of Tāwhirimātea (deity of the weather).
Tāwhirimātea is the father of the four winds. Te Hau Tonga - the southerly wind - brings rain, chill and cold weather to these islands. Some iwi say, ‘He taonga te makariri – the cold is a gift.’ It is the cold wind that forces us inside, to come together, closer to the home fire, to keep warm.
Presentation Pack
Discover more about the four winds of Aotearoa New Zealand and the significance of Matariki with the story told by Paora Tibble. Paora descends from Ngāti Porou, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa and Te Whānau-a-Apanui. He is a writer and translator, and creates Māori educational resources. The pack includes a set of four stamps, a miniature sheet and a first day cover.
Limited Edition
The limited edition is the ultimate collector’s item for this issue. Read the story in full by writer Paora Tibble. Paora has worked as Te Papa’s Māori language writer/translator, and has a background in developing, editing and writing Māori language educational resources. Paora works for National Services Te Paerangi, which is the outreach team for the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. This limited edition includes an informative booklet written by Paora as well as all four stamps, a colour separation of the $4.00 stamp, a signed first day cover and for the first time a gold-foiled miniature sheet.
Limited-edition Signed and Numbered Artist Print
Dave Burke’s detailed and striking artwork is honoured with 100 uniquely numbered prints. Get a close-up look at each depiction of the four winds. A wonderful gift for anyone celebrating Matariki.
Technical information
Ngā Hau e Whā - The Four Winds Stamps
| Date of issue: | 3 June 2020 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | $1.40, $2.70, $3.30, $4.00 |
| Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by: | Dave Burke, Tauranga, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 35mm x 45.6mm (vertical) |
| Miniature sheet size and format: | 180mm x 90mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm 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 stock is exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 2 June 2021. First day covers will remain on sale until 2 August 2020. |
Ngā Hau e Whā - The Four Winds Limited Edition Artist Print
| Designed by: | Dave Burke, Tauranga, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Print size and format: | Approximately A2 size (420mm x 594mm) |
| Quality: | Ilford Galerie Smooth Cotton Rag 310gsm |
| Limited edition: | 1 - 100, hand signed and numbered by the artist |
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