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ISSUE POLICY

OCEANIA NATIONS POSTAL AUTHORITY AT THE POST OFFICE OF NATIONS

Oceania Nations Postage is also the issuer of New Zealand Wine Post stamps, and Antarctica Post stamps- for mailing from the South Pole. Universal Themes ON stamps illustrate the aims and achievements of the Oceania Nations, their governments and their family of organizations.

Oceania Post invites subjects for depicting on stamps and postmarks in the form of writing or art.

The stamps commemorate significant events in the life of the Oceania Nations and their organizations, such as the Oceania Games and on a more concerned level- The health of the Pacific.

The environment has become increasingly threatened, Oceania Post Office of Nations recognises the problems, as well as the solutions, are global. Thus the Oceania Nations stamp issuing Authority has made protection of the environment a priority.

Oceania Nations stamps are issued from the Oceania Post Office of Nations in New Zealand. The stamps are available from Oceania Post office in person or by mail, and from stamp dealers. They are valid for Oceania postage when used on mail from The Post Office of Nations in New Zealand. Under its guidelines, the Oceania Nations Postal Administration is confined to selling mint stamps and postal stationery and providing special postings from this Post Office.

New commemorative issues remain on sale for 12 months at face value. After that date, remaining stocks are offered to Oceania Stampshop and various philatelic dealers with the remainder being destroyed. Commemorative stamps commemorate a certain theme. They are never reprinted, even if they are sold out before the end of the 12-month sale period.

Definitive stamps have an indefinite sale period and carry denominations necessary for general postal needs. Definitive stamps can be reprinted as necessary. ON stamps can be printed all over the world but are also printed by Oceania Nations Bureau of Printing in New Zealand. All issues are perforated and gummed. Issues are few and low in number compared with other Stamp Issuing authorities, and collectors will appreciate this.This makes ON one of the most responsible producers of stamps among postal administrations. Not only do Oceania Nations stamps thoughtfully and artistically promote the Independent Pacific Nations and their Organizations, but they promote unity and well-being in the largest region in the world.

The Oceania Post Office of Nations stamp issue policy operates almost exclusively from sales of stamps to collectors. The majority of Oceania Nations postage stamps - approximately 85 per cent - are collected by philatelists and used by the Oceania Post Office of Nations to promote its aims philatelically. email

Oceania Post sets basic criteria for subjects of commemoration on Oceania Nations Postage stamps and stationery.

• It is a general policy that Oceania Nations Postage stamps and stationery will feature Oceania or Pacific Nations-related subjects.
  
• Living persons may be honored or portrayed on Oceania postage stamps.
  
• Events of historical significance shall be considered for commemoration on anniversaries in multiples of 5 years.
  
• Events and themes of widespread national and Pacific wide appeal and significance will be considered for commemoration. Events or themes of local or regional significance may be recognized by a philatelic or special cancellation, which may be arranged through the postmaster.
  
• Stamps or stationery items may be issued to honor cities, towns, municipalities, counties, primary or secondary schools, hospitals, libraries, or similar institutions.
• Oceania Nations Postage Stamps will include those nations who are independent and whose flag is not that of a mother country.
• Statehood anniversaries will be considered for commemorative postage stamps at intervals of 5 years from the date of the state's independence but may include its first day.
• Requests for commemoration of significant anniversaries of universities and other institutions of higher education will be considered.
• Oceania Post reserves the right to portay international subjects on stamps, covers, postcards, exhibition items, aerogrammes, air polarogrammes, postmarks and other philatelic items.
  

Ideas for stamp subjects that meet the criteria can be emailed or addressed to:

Oceania Nations Stamp Design Committee
Oceania Post
25 Forresbank Avenue; Wakari Dunedin New Zealand 9001.

Subject suggestions should be submitted well in advance of the proposed date of issue.

The selection of subjects for Oceania Nations Postage and stationery is a difficult task, since only a small number of new commemorative items can be issued annually. No unsolicited artwork or ideas will be reviewed.

Antarctica Post, and New Zealand Wine Post new issues will be featured on this website as announcements. The full on issue catalogues of these stamps appear on their websites. All current stamp issues are sold at face value which is denominated in New Zealand Dollars. Philatelic sales of a collectable and specialist topics appear at Philatelic Stamp Shop, Shades Stamp shop and Stirling & Co.