1994 $20 Mount Cook Definitive.

Definitives Tour.
Back to 1991 Butterfly Definitives.                              Forward to 1995 - 1997 Scenic Definitives.

       This is New Zealand's largest and highest valued stamp. It is also one of the most controversial as many stamp collectors believe that rather than responding to a demand for a high-value postage stamp for documents and parcels, the stamp was a ploy to fleece collectors.

     
Two used examples - the right-hand from a first-day cover.

         Of course, NZ Post says it quite differently. "In response to demand for a high-value postage stamp for documents and parcels, New Zealand Post issued its first ever $20 Definitive Stamp. It is one of the most complex stamp productions ever commissioned by New Zealand Post - its design is a masterpiece in montage and it captures some of New Zealand's most treasured heritage. With such an elaborate design, hidden security features, and an extremely complex production and printing method, this magnificent new stamp is truly reflective of its high face value - both here and as an ambassador on overseas parcels."


$20.00 - Mount Cook Definitive.


Below is an enlarged detail of the design. I don't know about you but I find the more I look at this stamp the more things I think I can see in it.
The designer has cleverly woven together several distinctive New Zealand icons to create a stamp with an unmistakably New Zealand heritage. Dominated by New Zealand's highest mountain, Mt Cook, and two native plants - the ponga fern and the distinctive flower of the kowhai tree. An indigenous Maori rafter pattern forms a top border, while the New Zealand flag is also woven into the montage.


The stamp was printed on watermarked paper with a special fluorescent surface printed security pattern as shown in the above photograph which is visible under long wave (around 420 nanometres) ultraviolet light.


First Day Cover showing the Southern Alps.
Kupe’s wife, Kuramärotini, saw the Southern Alps (South Island of New Zealand) from a distance. She thought they were a long white cloud (an indication of land) and exclaimed "He ao! He aotea!, He aotearoa!" (A cloud. A white cloud. A long white cloud!). From this, the name given to this new land was Aotearoa; referring to the land of the long white cloud seen by Kuramärotini. 
For more on this story see our post Kupe and the First Maori Settlers.

2009 Timpex Stamp Exhibition.
The same stamp design printed by offset lithography, pre-cancelled and overprinted 'SPECIMEN' was included in the 2009 Timpex Stamp Exhibition miniature sheet.

Timpex, the 2009 New Zealand National Philatelic Exhibition was held in Timaru between the 16th and 18th of October 2009.
The miniature sheets feature 50 cents, $1 and $2.50 stamps from the
2008 Sir Edmund Hillary issue and the 1994 Mount Cook Definitive stamp pre-cancelled and marked 'SPECIMEN'. The $20 stamp was gold foiled but unlike the original, was printed by offset lithography. The $20 stamp was not valid for postage.

Technical information

          Date of Issue:
18 February 1994
          Designer:
Heather Arnold, Auckland, NZ
          Printer:
Leigh-Mardon, Australia
          Stamp Size:
57.5mm x 48mm
          Sheet Size:
25 stamps per sheet
          Process:
Recess printed - Intaglio, Lithography and gold foiling
          Perforation Gauge:                   
14.5 x 15
          Paper Type:
Coated Papers, red phosphor coated, with a line design watermark and fluorescent security marking


Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ

You can visit their website and Online Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/

Information for this post came from.