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Story: Introduced land birds

Pigeon-post stamps

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Pigeon-post stamps

The stamps of the pigeon-post service to Great Barrier Island (Aotea) were the first airmail stamps in the world. The bottom stamp was for a similar service to Marotere (Marotiri) Island in the Hen and Chickens group.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: MA_I.006721 (top); MA_I.006720 (centre); MA_I.006722 (bottom)

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Introduced land birds – Pigeons and doves, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/postage-stamp/17141/pigeon-post-stamps (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 1 March 2009.