NEW ZEALAND ~ Mount Aspiring National Park - UNESCO

... Fantastic "Kiwi" National Park nr3... majestic peak of Mount Aspiring with spectacular blue glacial fields and surrounded by snow covered peaks... a wonderful mixture of remote wilderness... beautiful river valleys and ravines.... a hiker's paradise and a must see for birders and mountaineers... Thank so much Helen for three wonderful NP parks new to my collection!! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

"Mount Aspiring the centrepoint of Mt Aspiring National Park, South Island"
It was established in 1964 as New Zealand's tenth National Park and third largest national park. It covers 3,562 square kilometres (1,375 sq mi) at the southern end of the Southern Alps.

The national park is named after Mt Aspiring. At 3,027 metres tall, the mountain is the highest outside of the Aoraki Mt Cook region. It is a pyramid-shaped peak with four ridges and thick rain forests clothing the western slopes.

Maori called Mount Aspiring, Tititea, meaning steep peak of glistening white.

Mount Aspiring National Park is part of Te Wai Pounamu, the southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area.


Stamp:

Geography & Meteorology (Seas, lakes & rivers)
 (Issued 18-05-2016)

NEW ZEALAND ~ Tongariro National Park - Mount Ruapehu - UNESCO ~

... Amazing scenery of one of the most active volcanoes in the world.... and the oldest National Park in the country... important for its Maori cultural and spiritual associations... Mount Ruapehu is New Zealand's biggest ski resort... visitor's can also enjoy walking, mountain biking, camping, mountaineering and rock climbing... Tongariro National Park was also the main setting for the land of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings trilogy... Emyn Muil area was filmed on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu...  Thanks a lot Helen!!【ツ】

"Mt Ruapehu from the Desert Road - North Island"
Tongariro National Park is situated in the middle of the North Island, in the Ruapehu Districts and covering almost 80.000 hectares. The park was established in 1887, making it the oldest national park in New Zealand. There are three active volcanoes in Tongariro National Park including Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe. The summits of these volcanoes are considered sacred.

Mt Ruapehu is the largest active volcano in New Zealand rising above the surrounding plains to 2797m.  It is the highest peak in the North Island, with several subsidiary peaks. There are several small glaciers around the summit slopes – the only glaciers at present in the North Island.

Ruapehu is the Māori word for ‘pit of noise’ or ‘exploding pit’.

UNESCO designated Tongariro National Park as a mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Site in 1990.

Stamp:

Geography & Meteorology (Seas, lakes & rivers)
(Issued 18-05-2016)

NEW ZEALAND ~ Aoraki Mount Cook National Park - UNESCO ~

... First of three wonderful new National Parks and UNESCO sites👍... with the highest mountain... longest glacier and far from city lights, the stargazing here is magnificent... a must-visit both day and night... there are three bouncy suspension bridges and the possibility of seeing kea (native New Zealand parrots) in the car park before or after a hike... famous by Sir Edmund Hillary when he trained here before his historic first ascent of Mt. Everest... today, Mount Cook's South Ridge bears Sir Hillary's name since August 2011... Thanks a lot Helen! (✿ ♥‿♥)

"The Hooker Valley and Sealy Tarn with Aorika Mount Cook and the Southern Alps in the background." Photo: Warren Jacobs
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock located on South Island and contains more than 140 peaks standing over 2,000m (6,600 ft) and 72 named glaciers, which cover 40 percent of its 700 square kilometres (170,000 acres).

The Park is named after the highest mountain, which is recorded at 3,724 metres tall. The European name, Mt Cook, was given to honour Captain James Cook who first surveyed New Zealand, despite Captain Cook never seeing the mountain. In 1998, the mountain was officially named Aoraki Mt Cook to incorporate the historic Maori name for the mountain.

The park was established in 1953 and "Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand"  became a UNESCO WHS Site in 1990 and incorporates Fiordland, Westland, Mount Aspiring and Mount Cook National Parks.

Stamp:

Geography & Meteorology (Seas, lakes & rivers) (Issued 18-05-2016)

NEW ZEALAND ~ Aladdin's Cave - Orakei Korako ~

... Beautiful panoramic view of Orakei Korako also known as The Hidden Valley... this geothermal is situated in tropical trees and ferns... it looks like a scene out of Jurassic Park... also scenes from the BBC's Natural History Series Walking with Dinosaurs were filmed at Orakei Korako... it is probably the best thermal area left in New Zealand... Thanks a lot Aaron!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Photo: Bob Beresford
From backside postcard:
"A view looking up from inside this deep cave in the Orakei Koraka thermal area. There's a hot water pool at the bottom. Native Punga ferns are growing at the entrance."
Orakei Korako (Māori for "The Place of Adorning") and Thermal Park are located in a valley north of Taupo on the banks of the Waikato River in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.

Ruatapu cave meaning sacred cave also known as Aladdin's Cave descends steeply into volcanic tuff. Tuff is consolidated ash deposited from a volcanic eruption, this one being from an eruption approximately 100,000 years ago. The cave extends 45 metres into the surrounding rock and descends for 23 metres. The small pool at the base of the cave is known as Waiwhakaata or 'The Pool of Mirrors'.

The Maori people once used the pool at the base of Aladdin's Cave as a place to clean themselves.

Stamp:

Southern Lights
(Issued 08-02-2017)

NEW ZEALAND ~Westland Tai Poutini National Park - Franz Josef Glacier - UNESCO ~

...Stunning panoramic view of one of the most spectacular glaciers in the world...a natural wonder and immense slow moving river of ice (one inch a year) ..Thanks a lot Sabine!!

Photo: Bob Beresford Westland Tai Poutini National Park is located on the western coast of New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 1960 and  covers 1,175 km² and extends from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps to a wild and remote coastline.

Franz Josef Glacier is the steepest and fastest moving glacier in New Zealand. At 12 kilometer long, 2,600 meters high, this 7000 year old body of ice is sliding down a mountain valley into a rainforest. Franz Josef can be safely viewed from as close as 15 meters.The area surrounding the two glaciers is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Site park.

Backside postcard:
A view looking south-east over the popular Franz Josef Glacier, named after an Australian King. In the distance, Mt Tasman an Mt Cook rise above the Southern Alps. A huge number of people walk to the base of the glacier, and even take guided trips up on it, but flying around the area is also a spectacular option.

Stamps:

Scenic Definitives
(Issued 09-05-2007)

Scenic Definitives
(Issued 04-08-2010)

NEW ZEALAND ~Wellington-The Cable Car ~

...Great view of the capital city Wellington and harbour....a ride with the historic Cable Car is one of the cities most popular tourist attractions...‘Welly’ was voted 'the coolest little capital in the world' in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel (2011)...Many thanks Deane!!

ⒸPhoto and design Bob Beresford The Cable Car service opened in 1902 - it runs from Lambton Quay, Wellington's main shopping street, to the suburb of Kelburn. From the top, one gets an overall view of Wellington and its harbour. In 1979 both cars were replaced with two modern Swiss-made units.

From backside card:
Looking down towards the capital city of Wellington from the top terminal of the Cable Car. It's a scenic trip from the city top, which is next to the Botanic Gardens.

Stamps:
Alpine Plants
(Issued 07-06-1972)
Definitive Mitre Peak
(Issued 02-10-1995)
Maori Crafts
(Issued 21-02-1996)

NEW ZEALAND ~The Remarkables and the Kawarau river-Queenstown-Otago ~

Breathtaking natural scenery and panoramic view of the  wonderful serie: "New Zealand Wide"... the island at the bottom of the earth...according to the postcard, perfect place for fishing...Many thanks Deane!!

With nice stamps: WWII Poster Art stamp-commemorating the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of WWII and scenic definitives self adhesive stamp

Photo Andris Apse - @First Class Publications Ltd The Kawarau River drains Lake Wakatipu, in northwestern Otago, New Zealand. The river  passes through the steep Kawarau Gorge. Containing many rapids and strong currents, the river can be dangerous and has claimed many lives.

The Remarkables are a mountain range and skifield in Otago, South Island of New Zealand. Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Wakatipu, the range lives up to its name by rising sharply to create an impressive backdrop for the waters.

NEW ZEALAND ~Sperm Whale~

WOW!!! And as last one...A breathtaking view...A gorgeous new WHALE CARD for my collection....
Thanks a million Adrienne!!
It is probably a cliche dream of me, hoping to see this creatures in the wild..
^__^ At a card like this I can look alday long, I'm smiling from ear to ear! ^__^

With so nice stamp, but it shows not so good on my blog:
The Round Kiwi (introduced 23 years ago) stamp is returning due to popular demand in 2011.The $1.90 Round Kiwi stamp has been printed in silver – reflecting New Zealand’s iconic silver fern.(Issued 16 July 2011)

''For the animal shall not be measured by man.In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not bretheren; they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the Eart''

Henry Beston Quote From ------- The Outermost House (From the back of the card)
In terms of survival, this species is one of the more successful: it has survived for millions of years and remains one of the most numerous of the large whales, despite centuries of hunting. It is the largest of the toothed whales and one of the more unique features is its unusual box like head that contains the largest brain in the world.Weight Male: 36000kg-Female: 20000kg~~ Lenght Male: average 10-15m Female average 8-11m.

The Sperm Whale was made famous by Herman Melville in his novel Moby Dick.

NEW ZEALAND~North Canterbury~

Received two breathtaking views of New Zealand today... Both so different and awesome landscapes...fresh green looking farmland with sheeps and not a house as far as the eye can see... Thanks a lot Kati!!

With interesting stamp:

New Zealand and Samoa share a special relationship that
is underpinned by the 1962 Treaty of Friendship. 2012 marks
50 years of this important partnership, and New Zealand Post
is celebrating with a unique stamp issue.
Each of the stamps features a contemporary view of selu tuiga
or 'head comb' - a traditional Samoan headdress that is worn at important occasions.

An afternoon in North Canterbury with the Kaikoura Mountains in the distance.

Canterbury is New Zealand's largest region by area, with an area of 45,346 km². The region is traditionally bounded in the north by the Conway River and to the west by the Southern Alps. The southern boundary is the Waitaki River.

NEW ZEALAND ~Rotorua~

...I so wish it was me wandering through this amazing Wildlife Park (22 acres) and see all the native trees, animals and even the really rare Kiwi... Thanks a lot Jeanette!!

With two great stamps:
New Zealand Post has issued the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee stamps (2012) to mark this prestigious anniversary.Featuring silver foiling on metallic silver ink, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee stamps reflect this prestigious anniversary.
And a stamp from a set 10 self adhesive stamps of Lake Coleridge.

Rainbow Springs:
Background - Bushwalk through native and exotic bush.
Top left - New Zealand's Native Wood Pigeon
Top right - Tuatara, a reptile native to New Zealand.
Btm right-Rainbouw trout.

Roturua, New Zealand's biggest tourist destination has many things to offer: Maori cultural centers, natural wonders. It is also the area with the most geothermal activity.

NEW ZEALAND ~The Koru~

Great and simply card (NZ-59100) but with a powerful cultural and spiritual symbol "The Koru" from the Maori... Maori name for New Zealand is "Aotearoa" and means "the land of the long white cloud". Thanks Frances!

The New Zealand Experience stamp issue (6 stamps)
Stamp 4:Māori culture is an essential part of New Zealand’s identity and history. As tourists trek around the country they’ll come across traditional Māori arts, the power of kapa haka performance and marae, and possibly even pick up some Te Reo Māori (the Māori language).

The koru, which is often used in Māori art as a symbol of creation, is based on the shape of an unfurling fern frond. Its circular shape conveys the idea of perpetual movement, and its inward coil suggests a return to the point of origin. The koru therefore symbolises the way in which life both changes and stays the same.
...It is a symbol of new life, growth, strength, and peace...

NEW ZEALAND ~Mt Nicholas Station~

Wonderful New Zealand view.... of a "sheep station". I had never heard of it till now...All cards of New Zealand landscape are breathtaking...
Great colorful stamps!!

Earnslaw: The supply line to outlying sheep stations unloads supplies at Mt Nicholas Station on Lake Wakatipu, Otago.
At over 100,000 acres, Mt. Nicholas is the largest station on the lake. The 27,000 merino sheep produce some of the world's finest quality wool fibre. Mount Nicholas Station - a New Zealand family owned, fully operational High Country Sheep Station - lies at the foot of the Southern Alps, Fiordland National Park to the west and the spectacular, clear waters of Lake Wakatipu immediately below the lodge to the east

NEW ZEALAND

Got my first "Lazy Letter Card" (NZ-45865)... I love it, she really made me laugh when I opened my mailbox this morning... If you don't like to write letters this card is a great alternative! :D:D
With another nice stamp too!

NEW ZEALAND ~Fiordland Crested Penguin and Chick~

Received two great cards today. A nice multiview of one of the many beautiful old cities in England.
And a wonderful birds card with nice stamps... The penguin looks really funny with her yellow crests and cute chicken. Unfortunately it is also one of the many endangered species on our planet...It makes me so depressed every time I see a species that is threatened with extinction. :(




Fiordland Penguins are listed as a 'vulnerable' species and are only found in the wet coastal rainforests of New Zealand's Fiordland and Stewart Islands. They are threatened due to habitat destruction and introduced predators.
These attractive native penguins, with characteristic yellow crests are nesting in a cave at Martin's Bay-home of seals, penguins and pauna (large native shelfish).

NEW ZEALAND ~Nugget Point~

WOW!! What a breathtaking view...
You can see penguins and sea lions on the beach and sometimes dolphins swimming.


The lighthouse and rocks at Nugget Point, not far from Kaka Bay and Owaka. It is one of the big attractions of the Catlins area.

NEW ZEALAND ~Cape Reinga~

What a great end of the week... The colors and view are amazing...
And the story behind this place is so mysterious: According to the Māori mythology the spirits of the dead travel to Cape Reinga on their journey to the afterlife in their spiritual homeland (Reinga means the leaping-off place).
....Again another place on my wishlist for a visit!:-)

Situated at the northern tip of New Zealand, Cape Reinga has a spiritual significance as the place where the spirits of the dead depart to their ancestral home of Hawaiiki.Here the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.

NEW ZEALAND

Received two lovely cards today. A great nature view of a neighbouring country Germany and another new beautiful surprise card of a Humpback Whale tail... Thanks again Edna!! :):) You make my collection grow really fast...

Lovely first day stamp and with a special postmark!

The humpback whale's fluke, or tail, has markings that are unique to each individual.
A Sperm Whale happily cruises off the Kaikoura Coastline, as a seabird passes.

New Zealand ~McLellan Telescope~

NZ-22600 ~McLellan Telescope~
Originally uploaded by gerda_dager

Sent by Fran. The One-Metre McLellan was built in the University of Canterbury's and installated at Mt John in febr 1986. It is used for a wide variety of astronomical research; the study of the stars and their evolution.
Photo was taken by the sender!

NEW ZEALAND ~Lake Karapiro~

NEW ZEALAND ~Lake Karapiro~
Originally uploaded by gerda_dager

Sent by Alice.The perfect mirror reflections of Lake Karapiro framed by the lush lakeside flora make an ideal setting, its an artificial lake in the North Island and famous for rowing.

NEW ZEALAND ~West Auckland~

NEW ZEALAND ~West Auckland~
Originally uploaded by gerda_dager

Sent by clebeans. Nature's beauty on Auckland's west coast - from left to right: Magnificient waterfall at Karekare; Lion Rock at Piha Beach and native bush at the Waitakere ranges.