Health stamp series from New Zealand - Health and Medicine in Postal Stamps

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Whenever a commodity is in popular use, governments leverage it to raise money for a variety of purposes. Today, when we buy petrol, diesel, cigarettes, alcohol, gold etc, we also pay a surcharge or a cess. This cess may be for agriculture, education, construction of roads, infrastructure or environment. Back in early 1900s, postage stamps were quite a commodity. Hence, governments leveraged stamps to collect money for health.

New Zealand Health stamp legacy

Idea of such surcharges, or charity for health first began in Denmark in 1904. New Zealand adopted this concept in 1929, and issued a first health charity stamp. First health stamp was for tuberculosis control, and subsequent ones were for a unique New Zealand institution – Children’s health camps. Beginning in 1929, such postage stamps were issued, without fail, every year. Last such issue was in 2016. A total of 88 such issues, are indeed a window into the past.

A special cover (1964) depicts map of New Zealand, with locations of seven children’s health camps. All charity stamps have two seperate values, one for postage, and another for health. For example two stamps on the top are from 1964, one depicts a red-seagull, and another a blue penguin. Together, 26% of total value of these stamps was a surcharge for health.
Health stamp in 1978 was a stamp-in-a-stamp issue, and it shows the first 1929 health stamp. Please note that in 1929 50% of total value of the stamp was health surcharge. By 1978 it had reduced to only 16%.
In 1994, New Zealand observed 75th anniversary of health camps. A stamp-in-a-stamp issue from the year shows Dr Elizabeth Gunn, who set-up first such camp in 1919. Please note that in 1994, surcharge for health on this stamp was only 10% of the total.

First health camp in 1919

Dr Elizabeth Gunn, a medical doctor had joined school health services in New Zealand, after a stint in the armed forces. She was concerned about malnourished children, and their risk of developing tuberculosis. In 1919, she teamed up with a philantropist BP Lethbridge to set up first child health camp in Turakina. This private health camp had 55 children, who gained in weight after a six-week regimen of large generous meals, plenty of fresh air, sunshine, discipline and gentle exercises. This success prompted her, and many others to conduct many private, temporary camps between 1919 and 1930.

Health camps were so popular, that in 1932 government established a first year-around permanent camp in Otaki. Four years later government established a National Health Camp Federation. The very next year federation renamed itself as King George V memorial health camp federation. By 1937, government had already established six permanent camps across the nation.

Health stamps in 1930s, showed healthy playful children. Images of well nourished, strong, and agile children helped build a national narrative. In a way, it was a demand-creation. Further, everyone wants their children to be strong and disciplined. A state sponsored six week stint for 5-12 year olds, was well accepted and quite popular.

After 1932, health stamps were exclusively raising money for the camps. All early stamps were on a “pound-for-pound” basis, 50% of total value was for health. In 1939, there was a cost-revision. Postage was revised, and overprinted on the stamps. The 1939 design was repeated in 1940 and overprint price was incorporated in the printed price. Next year, in 1941 same design was repeated, but with year as an over-print. Heath surcharge now had reduced to 33%.

Selection for a health camp

Till Second World War, focus of child-health camps was physical well being and weight gain. As medicines for tuberculosis became available, and Second World War was over, focus of camps gradually shifted to help children living in dysfunctional families. It was a duty of school health nurse, to identify children who would benefit from a camp. This selection was done in second and sixth grades. Typically these children could be nervous, solitary, or emotionally troubled. Some others joined as an avenue for recreation. Camp was away from their families, for six weeks, that promoted military discipline, education, and physical activity.

**Health stamps in 1940s.** Stamps in 1944 show Princess Elizabeth and Margret. Elizabeth later became queen, and reigned till her death in 2022. Her sister princess Margret, younger daughter of King George V, lived till 2002. Stamp in 1945 shows Peter-pan, 1946 shows a playful child, 1947 statue of eros, 1948 Roxburgh health camp, 1949 a nurse, child and apple blossom, and 1950 Princess Elizabeth with prince Charles. Prince Charles is now King Charles III.

Government used postage stamps and first day covers to promote health-camps. A narrative was built, so that camps became a national mission. Special postal covers from 1948 and 1950 bear testimony to this zeal.

Health camps were a therapeutic location

These camps were built, away from the cities at scenic locations. Some of them had an elevated plane, and a soothing fresh water spring in the vicinity. They had plenty of sunlight, open air schools, and enough food for health. Stated purpose was to revitalise, re-socialise, and re-educate. Camps prepared children to become better humans, be more joyous, and have a better future.

Health stamps in 1951-53 depict sunshine, water sports, prince Charles, his sister princess Anne, boy scouts and girl guides. By this time the health charity value had dropped to 30%

Health stamps from 1954-1961. Before 1959 these stamps showed children, and their activities. After 1959 themes became varied, such as birds. In 1961 the charity value had dropped to 28%.

Health-camps also ran programs for children in a special need. Such as programs to improve self esteem (children who had enuresis or encopreses), anger management, asthma education, and daily living skills.

Government has a funding crunch

After 1960s, health stamps competed with Christmas charity stamps. As cost of production and postage rates increased, charity value for health reduced. By 1967, direct government grants covered most expenses, rather than stamp sales. In 1972, governing federation was convened into a board – NZCHCB for New Zealand Child Health Camp Board.

Health stamps in 1960s. Stamps depicted birds, sports, and royalty. Prince Andrew is shown in a set of stamps from 1963. Prince Andrew, younger brother of King Charles III, was involved in a pedophile scandal, and withdrew from public roles in May 2020.

Health stamps 1970-1973. Focus was back on children, and sports. Despite financial troubles, first day cover has a slogan – “health stamps maintain children’s health camps.”A set of stamps in 1973 shows youngest sibling of King Charles III – prince Edward. Please note that the health charity value has now dropped to 22%.

A move away from Institutionalised care

Most children who were identified for health-camps had a problem, either for the families, school, society or their health. By 1970s, societies had become more tolerant towards its imperfections. Solution for the problems had to come from within the society, rather than a child-health camp or an asylum. This is the time when mental health asylums were being torn down. Further, a sense of stigma gripped children who had to spend time in a camp. It was becoming a boot-camp of sorts.

Health stamps 1974-1977. Children continue to be a dominant theme. Please note slogan on first day cover from 1977 – “health stamps **assist** health camps”, in contrast to a previous 1972 slogan “health stamps **maintain** health camps”. In 1976, charity value was down to 11%.

In 1980s, camps were asked to be “worthy of being state-funded”. Hancock committee in 1983, noted camps to be moribund – without real life or vigour. Next year, government changed its funding mechanism from direct funding to an occupancy based model.

Health stamps from 1980s, are more colourful. In addition to adventure, theme included pets – dogs, cats and horses. Charity value in 1984 is reduced to 8%.

Accountability and closures

The last decade of 20th century had a focus on accountability. Despite a strong push from the government, and children health camps being national treasure – there was no hard evidence of their benefit. Costs were high, and perceived benefits were less. This was also a beginning of internet era. Postage stamps faded away from public spaces. Focus of health stamps also shifted to more popular themes.

Children were back in focus. Child-art in stamps from 1986-87. In 1985, the issue featured Princess Diana, prince Charles, William and harry. In 1989 it showed Beatrice and Sarah. Health charity value was however down to 7%.

Health stamp issues 1992-1995. Year 1994 was 75th anniversary of health-camps. Postage stamps in this year were stamp-in-stamp issues from 1939 and 1949.

In 2001, government totally stepped away from camps. Management was handed over to Children’s services. Two health camps in Roxburgh (that featured in 1948 stamp) and Otago (first permanent camp established in 1932) closed in 2018. Moreover, some previous camp attendees reported violence and abuse in some camps.

Health stamp issues from 1997-2001. These issues show toys, stories, and sports. Postal department increased Health charity value from a low of 7% to 11% now. Last health stamp was issued in 2016, and health charity value was lowest – 5%.

Obituary of the health stamps

In this blog I have shown images of the health stamps I currently own. A more detailed description is available from a privately owned New Zealand Stamp catalogue. The following obituary appears on this website, and I quote:

“On the 27th of July 2017, New Zealand Post announced that due to declining mail volumes and the falling number of health stamps sold it was no longer financially viable to administer the Health stamp issues. New Zealand Health stamps were first issued in 1929 and had been issued every year since then without fail (even during the 1930s Great Depression and the Second World War) and it is very sad to think that this was the last New Zealand Health Stamp issue.“

I am in-process of completing New Zealand Health stamp series. Any help in this regard will be most welcome !!