One of the earliest countries to use postage meters, the first meter was put on public trial in 1904. New Zealand is the only country to use meters on a commercial, non-experimental basis from 1905 to late 1920.
Unlike most other meter-using countries, meter stamps in New Zealand are often printed without a town mark/date stamp and are considered no different from preprinted adhesive postage. As such metered mail is usually found with postal cancelations. If a town mark is present, it is often not canceled.
Meter manufacturers in New Zealand:
The Automatic Stamping Machine Co. (ASM) (Ernest Moss), 1904
The Automatic Franking Machine Co. Ltd. (AFM) (successor to ASM)
New Zealand Franking Machine Co. Ltd. (NZFM) (Robert Wales), 1904
C.R. Hawkins Ltd. (successor to AFM, 1932)
A.H. Aldridge
Coin Machines Ltd. (Comac), 1964
The stamps are grouped according to appearance of frank and function:
A – circular and oval franks
B – upright rectangle
C – horizontal or square rectangle
D – frank without complete outer frame
PO – special stamps generated only in Post Offices
PP – special stamp used only for Parcel Post
PV – stamps from public, self-service, coin-operated machines
OO – special stamps used for Official government mail
NOTE: The early Group A stamps were self-service public vending machine stamps. They have been cataloged in Group A rather than Group PV because of the close developmental relationship they have with other Group A stamps.
A1. ASM (Moss) model “1”, 1st state (FV-1), 31 March 1904.
One meter only, a public, coin-operated, self-service machine.
Double circular stamp with rings 19.5 and 12 mm in diameter.
Inscribed “N.Z. POSTAL STAMP / No 1” between the circles and “1D / PAID” in the center.
Printed in black from a rubber die.
Postal guidance required the stamps to be postmarked.
A. Used outside the main Post Office at Christchurch, 31 March to 15 April 1904 [$600]
B. Used outside the main Post Office in Wellington from 4 to 23 May 1904 [$900]
A2. ASM (Moss) model “1”, 2nd state (FV-1), 23 June 1904. [$900]
Almost identical to Type A1 but slightly larger, 21 and 13 mm.
Printed in black with a steel die.
Public, coin-operated, self-service meter used outside the Wellington main Post Office, 23 June to 4 November 1904.
This is from the same machine used for Type A1. Only the frank die was changed.
A3. ASM (Moss) model “2” (FV-2), 11 July to 10 August 1904. [One cover with 1d stamp known to exist. Value undetermined]
The stamp is identical in appearance to Type A1, but it is from a meter modified for use in a private business setting rather than as a public, self-service meter.
It can be identified by the postmark date which is later than for Type A1 and by the logo in blue of the Christchurch Meat Company on the envelope.
The machine operated by insertion of a Sovereign (£1 coin) which allowed a mix of up to 240 one penny or 480 ½d impressions before re-locking.
It is possible the ½d value was inoperable when the machine was placed with Christchurch Meat.
Meter No. 1 only.
Values: ½d, 1d
NOTE: Souvenir impressions from the machine were made long after its brief period of postal use. These souvenir impressions are all badly warped due to aging of the rubber die and are usually found on small squares of lined paper. [$25]
A4. NZFM (Wales) (FV-1), 7 July to early October 1904. [$800]
Narrow, upright double oval with ”N Z” at top.
“ONE PENNY” at bottom, “1D” at the sides, and blank in the center.
Public, coin-operated, self-service meter installed outside the Dunedin Post Office.
Printed in black.
A5. NZFM (Wales) (FV-1), 10 October 1904 to 7 February, 1905. [$800]
Narrow upright oval as with Type A4 but “NEW ZEALAND” spelled out at top.
“ONE PENNY” at bottom.
“PAID” vertical in the center.
This is from the same machine used for Type A4. Only the frank die was changed.
A6. ASC (Moss) model “3” (FV-7), 8 February 1906.
Double circles 19 and 11mm in diameter, with “★ NEW ZEALAND ★/ POSTAGE PAID” between the circles.
The center contains the postage value above the meter number.
Printed with a metal (zinc) die.
Sovereign (£1 coin)-in-the-slot operation as with Type A3.
Three machines were made:
A. No1, used by Christchurch Meat Co. Two covers (½d stamp and 1d stamp) and a single cutout (1d stamp) exist, printed in violet [$2000]
B. No2, used by Pyne & Co, Christchurch. Two registered covers with 5d stamps (violet), and a cover and cut-out with 1d stamp (black) are known [$2000]
C. No3, demonstration machine. A small number of value sets (less the 3d) are known to exist, printed in red or black and produced at a later date. [$500]
Values: The model was capable of printing ½d, 1d, 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d and 6d values.
A7. ASC (Moss) model “C” (FV-5), Summer 1906.
Very similar to Type A6 but the frank is slightly smaller with circles 17.5-18 and 10mm in diameter.
These stamps are from the first credit machine, an improvement over the Sovereign coin-in-the-slot operation. A postal employee would travel between meter users to collect payments and recharge the meters.
The stamps are found printed in black, purple, blue, red, and green. Black is relatively common with purple being rare. Blue, green and red are exceptionally rare.
Meter No’s: 1 to 22 have “No.” prefix. Meters from 23 to 44 are without prefix. These were all issued to Christchurch firms.
Values: ½d, 1d [$75]
Value: 3d [$250]
Value: 6d [$350]
Value: ONE SHILLING [$600]
a. Printed in purple [Add $50 to ½d and 1d stamps, $100 or more to the other denominations]
b. Printed in blue, red, or green [Add $250. Known only with ½d and 1d stamps]
A8. AFM (Moss) model “C” (FV-5), 1907.
This is from the same model "C" meter that produced Type A7. Only the frank dies were changed.
Single circle 18 mm in diameter.
Town name, normally with “NZ”, added at top.
“POSTAGE PAID” at bottom.
Meter numbers start at 1 in each town.
The stamps are found printed in black, blue, and purple. Black is relatively common with blue being rare and purple very rare.
Values: ½d, 1d [$50]
Value: 3d [$200]
Value: 6d [$400]
Value: ONE SHILLING [$500]
a. Printed in blue [Add $50 to ½d and 1d stamps, $100 or more to the other denominations]
b. Printed in purple [Add $250. Known only with ½d and 1d stamps]
c. Town name only, without “NZ”. Napier 1, 2, 4-9, and Gisborne 1-5 recorded [Add $25]
NOTE: The Wellington stamp dies from 1 to 26 have the town name abbreviated "WELLGTN. From 27 forward the name is spelled out in full.
A9. AFM (Moss) model “C” (FV-5), late 1908.
This is from the same model "C" meter that produced Types A7 and A8. Only the frank dies were changed.
Large circle, 21-22 mm in diameter, with different interior design for each value:
A. ½d: plain single circle [$50]
B. 1d: diamond [$50]
C. 3d: square with four semicircles [$250]
D. 6d: lines at top and bottom and small circles at the sides [$500]
E. 1/-: shield [$1000]
Town name alone at top, without country name or "NZ".
Meter numbers for each town are the same as used with Type A8.
A. Straight line rectangle (with rounded corners) with, “POSTAGE PAID NZ" in upper left.
Values: ½d, 1d [$40]
Value: 3d [$100]
Value: 6d [$300]
Value: ONE SHILLING [$500]
B. Frank frame is wavy line, "POSTAGE PAID" without "NZ" in upper left. Began use in 1915 with a postal rate change. [$60]
One value only: 1½d
a. Printed in deep blue or purple (Dunedin 34, Hastings 2, Napier 1 and 12 seen, ½d and 1d known). [Add $100]
NOTE: As the stamp dies were replaced in the Model "C" machines (from Type A7 through A9 to B1) a small number of machines had only some of the value dies replaced with the newer designs. Covers with multiple stamp types (B1 with A8 or A9) occasionally turn up. They are quite rare. Shown at right is a portion of a mailing tag franked with 1 shilling Type A8 and 1½d Type B1B, both from meter Auckland 50.
B2. AFM (Moss), models “D” and “E” (1924), (FV-5), 11 May 1916.
Straight frame line with squared corners.
Meter number in circle in center, town name at bottom.
Meter numbers continue up from those used with Type B1.
The stamps were at first printed in black, then maroon (dark purple), then dull red and finally pink. Dull red and pink are the most common with black and maroon less so.
The stamps from the "D" and "E" models are identical.
Values: ½d, 1d, 1½d, 2d, 6d, ONE SHILLING
Value: 3d [$15]
a. Printed in black [Uncommon]
b. Printed in maroon (dull purple) [Uncommon]
c. Printed in non-standard dark aniline purple [Very rare]
d. Relief stamp (temporary replacement or ‘loaner’ machine). Meter number with “R” prefix. Meters R1-R5 [$350]
e. Relief stamp (temporary replacement or ‘loaner’ machine). "SOS" in center circle [$500]
B3. AFM (Moss) model “D” (FV-5), November 1922.
Similar to Type B2 but special design from a machine used at the Christchurch Industrial Exhibition.
"N.Z. / INDUSTRIAL" above, and "EXHIBITION" below the central circle which contains "CH CH”.
In operation only for seven weeks.
Value: “ONE PENNY” [$500]
Values: “HALF PENNY" "ONE SHILLING" [Extremely rare, value uncertain, $2000?]
These two values are known on small sheets with large "CANCELLED" hand stamp. They were handed to the public as souvenirs of the show. The one shilling value is also known on an unmailed cover.
NOTE: The 1½d and 6d values may exist but have not been reported.
B4. AFM (Moss) model “E” plus converted "model D"s (FV-5), 1928.
Double-line outer rim with rounded corners.
“NEW ZEALAND/POSTAGE” at top without town name.
Meter numbers 1501 up without prefix.
Values: ½d, 1d, 1½d, 2d
Values: 3d, 6d, 1/-
Value: 2½d [$10]
NOTE: At least one Model E machine (E142) was converted to decimal currency at some point. The postage values are 1, 2½, 3 and 5 cents. The one shilling value remained in the dial but was disabled and could not be selected. From the condition of the machine it appears that it had been in use, but no franked covers or examples of the decimal stamps have ever been reported. The machine is in the hands of a collector who says that all the dies had been removed when he received it and so is not possible to produce proofs after the fact.
B5. Hawkins, model “F” (the "Duo") (FV-2), January 1931. [$50]
As Type B4 but meter number with “F” prefix.
Meters F1 through F42 were reportedly fielded.
Values: ½d, 1d, 2d
B6. Neopost (L/V-3/6), 1931.
Herringbone pattern at sides with rays in lower corners.
Value figure (variable in size) in center with "POSTAGE" above and "PAID" below.
M# with “N” prefix.
TM: DC, BIC or nil
A. £sd values: 1d, 2d, 2½d, 3d, 4d, 6d
£sd value: 1/- [$10]
£sd values: 9d, 1/6, 1/9 . [$20]
B. Decimal values: 2½c through 25c seen [$10]
a. Solid block in place of meter number
b. M# with “No N” prefix
c. Printed in green
d. TM solid (unengraved)
B7. Neopost (LV). [$300]
Unique design similar to Type B7 with herringbone pattern at sides, but “POSTAGE” in arc over “PAID” above small value figure at bottom center.
Meter number in lower corners, and postage value at bottom center.
Meter N71 only, used by Hikurangi Dairy Co.
This stamp is most likely the result of a locally fabricated repair.
Values seen: ½d, 1d
B8. Hawkins “Rotex” (FV-5), December 1931.
Frank with single line, simulated perforation border.
M# with “G” prefix, G1 up.
TM: squared circle with horizontal line background, or nil
Values: £sd: ½d, 1d, 2d, 6d, 1/-
Values: Decimal: 1c, 2c, 4c seen
a. Without letter prefix: 1332 [$20]
b. Slogan applied to back of envelope [$100]
c. Printed in black
B9. Hawkins “Sentinel” (FV-3), 1937.
Nearly identical to Type B8 but M# with “H” prefix.
Large frank, 27 x 32 mm, with simulated-perforation outer frame line and straight inner frame line.
With “C” at each side of value figure.
M# with “Y” prefix.
TM: nil
Values: 2c through 40c seen
♦♦ The Mailmaster is chiefly a limited value (LV) machine but has a 2-bank(see the glossary) multi-value (MV) feature. The left bank prints one of 24 whole numbers (1 to 24, or 5 to 120 in 5c steps). The right bank prints a half-cent value (½) when the operator pushes a button on the front of the machine.
C2. Mailroom Services Ltd. “Postmaster” (FV-5).
Small nearly square frank of slightly variable size, 17-20 x 18-20 mm.
Often with slogan in different color.
M# with “P” prefix.
A. Without “c” after value. Values: 6, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20, 24, 25, 28, 30, 35 seen
B. With “c” after value. Values: 7c, 8c, 10c, 12c, 20c, 30c seen
TM: nil
C3. Hawkins “New Rotex”♦ (LV-25+½)♦♦
Checkerboard frame, 32-33 x 27 mm.
Large “N” and “Z” at the sides.
M# with “B” prefix.
A. £sd values with “PENCE” below “POSTAGE” [Scarce]
B. Decimal values with “CENTS” below “POSTAGE”
TM: nil
Values: ½ through 24½
♦ The New Rotex is basically the same machine as the Mailmaster (C1), but modified to include decimal values.
♦♦ The New Rotex is chiefly a limited value (LV) machine but has a 2-bank(see the glossary) multi-value (MV) feature. The left bank prints one of 24 whole numbers (1 to 24, or 5 to 120 in 5c steps). The right bank prints a half-cent value (½) when the operator pushes a button on the front of the machine.
C4. Satas "Baby" (MV).
Small frank slightly wider than tall.
With simulated perforation outer border and straight-line inner border.
Inner panel at bottom contains the meter number with "SA" prefix.
TM not seen
V/F: 0. 00
C5. Neopost “205/2205” (MV).
Square frank with herringbone sides and rays in lower corners.
M# with “J” prefix.
TM: BIC or nil
Values (£sd): ★/0 – •0′0 –
Values (decimal): •00 – 0.00 00 –
NOTE: Examples with slogan and town mark in different colors are known.
C6. Neopost “505” (MV).
As Type C5 but wider than tall.
M# with “R” prefix.
TM: BIC or nil
V/F: 0•00 ★•00
a. TM solid (unengraved)
C6.1. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).
Similar to Type C6 but frank not as wide.
M# with “EN” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F: ≋000
C7. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).
Wide frank with “NEW ZEALAND” in panel at top, M# and “POSTAGE” in panel at bottom.
Country map left of value figures.
M# with “D” prefix.
A. With vertical line between the meter number and “POSTAGE”
B. No line between meter number and “POSTAGE”
TM: DC
V/F: 00.00
C8. Hasler "Smile" (MV).
Nearly identical to Type C7A but the spacing between the date and value figures is slightly wider (~28mm compared to ~25mm)
and the value figures are somewhat thinner.
TM: DC
V/F: 00.00
C9. Frama "M/E3" (MV).
Nearly identical to Type C7A but the value figures are thicker and larger.
Meter number with “F” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F: 0.00
C10. Satas (Neopost "Electronic") (MV).
The stamp is identical to Australia Type H3 but with NEW ZEALAND at top.
A small sheep in profile is in the upper right corner.
Meter number SATAS / SA1002 seen.
TM: DC
V/F: ≋0.00
GROUP D: Frank without complete outer frame[edit | edit source]
D1. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV).
Simulated-perforation frame lines at top and bottom, open at sides.
Frank design with concave curve at left to fit around town mark.
M# with “P.B.” prefix below four stars at center between date and value figures.
A. Top line of frank 40 mm wide. V/F: ≋0.00
B. Wide frank, top line 48 mm wide. V/F: ≋00.00
TM: DC or nil
a. With advertising slogan instead of town name inside DC town mark
D2. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” series (MV).
Similar to Type D1 but frank squared off at left, and date and value figures on same level.
M# with “P.B.” prefix.
TM: DC or nil
V/F: ≋0.00
D3. Pitney Bowes-GB “6900” (MV).
As Type D1 but much taller.
“POSTAGE” below value figures.
M# with “PBZ” prefix.
TM: SC, DC
V/F: ≋0.00
D4. Pitney Bowes-GB “EasyMail” (digital).
Wide and short design without town mark.
"NEW ZEALAND POST" across top with logo at left.
M# with “PBC” prefix.
Three numbers stacked at left, M#, date and post code (or "0000") stacked at right.
NOTE: A pre-production Specimen exists. It is printed on pink paper tape instead of white but otherwise look the same [One example known, dated 14 October 1949]
PP2. National Cash Register "126" (11 December 1959).
Frameless design printed on square self-adhesive labels.
The stamp consists of three lines of text: town line above "POSTAGE PAID" at top, date and value figures at bottom.
A. "POSTAGE PAID" alone
B. "POSTAGE PAID" with long dashes at the sides [$20, one machine only]
Eight machines were eventually placed into use.
V/F: *0. 0. 0(½)
PP3. Setright (MV), 16 August 1960.
Similar in appearance to Type PP1 the Setright stamp has NEW ZEALAND at top below the town name.
The vertical panel at left contains "PARCEL POST / PAID" rather than just PARCEL POST.
A. Town line "WELLINGTON" [extremely rare, in use two weeks only, value undeterined)]
B. Town line "KILBIRNIE" [$25]
V/F : 0/0 0/=
GROUP PV: Stamps generated only by public access, self-service, coin-operated machines[edit | edit source]
NOTE: See also Types A1, A2, A4, and A5.
PV1. Comac (FV-1), 1964. [$75]
Stamp from experimental public access self-service meter.
Large stamp with simulated perforation outer border and straight line inner border.
“NEW ZEALAND/ POST OFFICE” at top.
“C.P.O. CH.” (Central Post Office Christchurch) in bottom panel.
One machine only.
One value only: 3d
PV2. Comac (FV-1), 1972. [$20 on cover, $200 for a set of twelve]
Self-service meter stamp.
Similar to Type PV1 but much smaller.
Bottom panel contains “C.P.O.” plus two letter abbreviation for the town where the machine was located.
Twelve machines were in use for a short time.
A. “AK” (Auckland)
B. “CH” (Christchurch)
C. “DN” (Dunedin)
D. “HN” (Hamilton)
E. “IN” (Invercargill)
F. “NA” (Napier)
G. “NN” (Nelson)
H. “NU” (New Plymouth)
I. “PM” (Palmerston North)
J. “TU” (Timaru)
K. “WG” (Wanganui)
L. “WN” (Wellington)
One value only: 5c
GROUP OO: Special stamps used for official government mail[edit | edit source]
These stamps were used until the 1930s (or possibly later). More recent Official meter stamps are indistinguishable from regular business meter stamps and can be identified only by the return address.
OO1. AFM (Moss) model “C” (FV-5), 1907.
As Type A8 but with department name at top, and without meter number.
Normally printed in black.
A. “TAXES” at top, “A” below value figure. Value: 1d [$500]
B. “TOURIST” at top, “A” below value figure.
Value: 1d [$600]
Value: ONE SHILLING [$1000]
C. “ADVANCES” at top, "B" below value figure. [$750]
a. Printed in red or green [Add $400]
OO2. AFM (Moss) model “C” (FV-5), 1910.
As Type B1A but with departmental name in diagonal panel.
“POSTAGE / PAID” at top left.
A. “MARINE” with “A” above value figure. Values: ½d, 1d [$250]
B. “P.T. CHCH.”
Values: ½d, 1d, 6d [$250]
Value: ONE SHILLING [$500]
C. “P.T. AUCK.” [$500]
OO3. AFM (Moss) model “C” (FV-5), 1910.
As Type OO2 but with “OFFICIAL/ PAID/ N.Z.” at top left.
“•P. & S. DEPT.” in diagonal panel.
A. Printed in black [$250]
B. Printed in red [$500]
Values: ½d, 1d
Values: 6d, 1/- [Add $150]
OO4. 1915, AFM (Moss) model “C” (FV-5), 1915.
As Type B2 but with departmental name in place of town name.
Printed in black.
A. “MARINE. A”, meter number nil [$150]
B. “P&S DEPT”, meter number nil [$250]
C. “P.T. CHCH•”, meter number nil [$250]
D. “P.T.W.” Meter number 33 [$150]
E. “TAXES” and “A” [Reported but not verified]
Value: 1½d
OO5. AFM (Moss) models “D” and “E” (FV-5), 1918.
As Type B3 but with department name at bottom and town name abbreviation or “A” in center circle.
Known printed in black, maroon, dull red and pink.
Listed below are verified department names. Others possibly exist.
“HALF PENNY" "ONE SHILLING" [Extremely rare, value uncertain, $2000?]
