Health stamps have an important place in New Zealand history. They worked like a regular stamp but cost ever so slightly more with the extra money going towards children's health camps.
These camps were set up in 1919 to benefit children with minor physical disabilities and nutritional problems. Complete with fresh air, good food and fun activities they soon proved popular and necessary. The first health stamp was issued in 1929. This slide screened in cinemas to encourage patrons to buy the 1973 version of the health stamp.
In 1996 $158,000 was raised through these stamps but e-mail proved to be their undoing- just $35,000 was raised in 2007. By 2017 the cost of designing and printing the stamps was far higher than the money they raised so New Zealand Post discontinued Health Stamps.
