0138. New Zealand (South Island) - Moeraki Point Lighthouse

In New Zealand, over the years the stamps were limited to the pre-payment of postage on correspondence posted by the Government Life Insurance Office for delivery within the country. But, on 27-Mar-1969, this condition was relaxed and the stamps could be used on mail to both inland and overseas addresses. 

1969, marked the centenary of the founding of the Government Life Insurance Office and a new series of stamps was issued to mark this occasion.  Lighthouses, the symbol of the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department, were again the subject depicted on the stamps.

Moeraki Point Lighthouse was commemorated in the 1969 series of New Zealand Government Life Insurance Office ½c stamp released on 27-Mar-1969. 

The change in the name of the business from "Government Life Insurance Department" to "Government Life Insurance Office" was also marked from the 1969 stamp series.

Moeraki Point also known as Katiki Point Lighthouse is situated between the settlements of Moeraki and Katiki, on the tip of the Moeraki Peninsula, which is known as Katiki Point or Moeraki Point.  The point has a long history of wrecks.  Tthe Moeraki Point Lighthouse was built, following several accidents on the dangerous reefs around the area, to make the area safer for ships that sailed past on their way to Port Chalmers, Dunedin.

Built in the year 1878, the MOERAKI POINT Lighthouse:

• Tower is HEXAGONAL wood
• Tower painted WHITE
• Height is 8.5 metres
• Colour scheme of the LIGHT is WHITE
• LIGHT character FLASHES 6 seconds ON ; 6 seconds OFF