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Story: New Zealand species overseas

Flax on stamps

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Flax on stamps

New Zealand flax was introduced to islands in the South Atlantic as a fibre crop. It became the mainstay of St Helena’s economy for about 60 years. On Tristan da Cunha it was planted as a windbreak and used for thatching the roofs of houses.

Stamp reproduced courtesy of the Tristan da Cunha Post Office

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Tristan da Cunha

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How to cite this page

Ross Galbreath, New Zealand species overseas – Early exports, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/postage-stamp/10062/flax-on-stamps (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ross Galbreath, published 1 March 2009.