New issues.
๐ฎ๐ณ India Post -
2 August 2022 - 75th anniversary of the Independence of India, the history of the national flag - 1 miniature sheet containing a single circular stamp. Rating:- *****.
๐ณ๐ฟ New Zealand Post -
Withdrawn prior to issue - the set of 4 stamps and 1 miniature sheet commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Maori Language petition due to have been released on 3 August 2022. New Zealand Post Collectables released the statement shown below on 3 August 2022 and announced that the issue would not now take place having received “additional feedback from stakeholders that was received after the products were printed. While extensive consultation took place in the development of the designs, some expectations were not met and as a results the stamps cannot be issued in their current form or on the planned date”.
NZ Post has form on producing designs ostensibly to honour the Maori community in the country but instead producing designs which offend rather than please. The previous such case occurred in 2006 when NZ Post prepared an issue celebrating Mฤori performing arts - the kapa haka - which was made up of 5 stamps and 1 miniature sheet containing the 5 stamps. Unfortunately the designs used cartoons to depict performers in the kapa haka and the depiction of the Maori people in the designs was judged by some to be offensive. As a result the issue was withdrawn, as with the present issue, prior to release but 8 people did receive copies of the stamps and so they do exist in collectors’ hands but are of course very rare.
It is quite amazing that New Zealand Post has once more got itself into this situation. Postal administrations in liberal democracies really should steer away from releasing stamps which have a racial theme. In this era when many people rejoice in being given the opportunity to be offended, it’s a recipe for disaster. Perhaps NZ Post will finally learn its lesson.
The 2006 issue -
Hello. Or they could continue - because the 2022 issue seems politically important in the country history - but it's surprising they didn't consult enough prior to printing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know New Zealand. Is there a main official cultural Maori institution? Is NZ Post facing a diversity of associations and individuals? Isn't there a NZ Parliament commission or a NZ ministerial commission that can be the ombusman in such cases?
White Knight - Hello Sรฉbastien, Without further research I really can not answer all your questions. I agree, the anniversary does seem politically important in the history of the country. For many years, as far as I know, the Maori population has been pressing for (and obtaining) greater civil rights and recognition of the Maori language as an official language is obviously part of this. Note that on recent issues the country name has been inscribed in English and Maori.
DeleteAs a Maori New Zealander, they don't offend me, they don't have exaggerated features or make the people look ugly like the 2006 issue did. This is woke socialism at its worst.
ReplyDelete