New Zealand Post
Media Release
25 June 2007

Six Year Old Stamps His Mark On Christmas

A six-year-old South Auckland boy is the Supreme Winner of this year's New Zealand Post Design a Stamp Awards. Sione Vao beat stiff competition from 17,000 submissions from children all over New Zealand.

Design by Sione Vao (Age 6), Supreme Winner
Year 2 Flat Bush School, Otara Manukau

Blending a Pasifika aesthetic with the more traditional elements of a Kiwi Christmas such as candy cane found hanging on a tree, judges said his image combined strong, simple elements to produce a striking, eye-catching design.

Design by Reece Cateley (Age 7)
Year 2 St Joseph's Fairfield, Hamilton

New Zealand Post Stamps general manager Ivor Masters says this year judging was even more difficult.

"Standards across the country were extremely high and it was a very difficult process for the judges. We chose images in the end that most suited the brief which was symbols of Christmas."

Design by Emily Wang (Age 11)
Year 6 Three Kings Primary School, Auckland

He says this competition offers children a rare opportunity to get their work seen across the world.

"These images will be used on this year's New Zealand Post Christmas stamp issue. That means these stamps will be used and seen around New Zealand and around the world. These winners are now artistic ambassadors for this country. Congratulations to them."

Design by Alexandra Eathorne (Age 12)
Year 8 St Orans College, Lower Hutt

The awards were open to all Year 1 to 8 students attending New Zealand schools.

Five winners were chosen out of the 17,000 entries. Each winner receives a $1,000 Kiwibank account and $3,000 for their school. Judges also chose an overall winner.

Design by Jake Hooper (Age 8)
Year 4 Waverley Primary School, Wanganui

This is the New Zealand Post Design A Stamp Awards second year. Ivor Masters says the response to running the first competition last year was overwhelming, so New Zealand Post decided to offer the competition again this year.

Winners;

* Sione Vao (6) - Year 2 Flat Bush School, Otara Manukau– Supreme Winner
* Reece Cateley (7) - Year 2 St Joseph's Fairfield, Hamilton
* Emily Wang (11) - Year 6 Three Kings Primary School, Auckland
* Alexandra Eathorne (12) - Year 8 St Orans College, Lower Hutt
* Jake Hooper (8) - Year 4 Waverley Primary School, Wanganui

The stamps will be available for purchase from October 3rd at all New Zealand Postshops, Real Aotearoa stores in Christchurch and Auckland, the Wanganui Stamp Centre and online at www.nzpost.co.nz/stamps.

ENDS