Animals in Service

On March 5, 2025, New Zealand Post issued a series of postage stamps "Animals in Service".

The series consists of four stamps, each dedicated to one animal. The heroes of the commemorative postage stamps are dogs ($2.30), pigeons (3.60), horses ($4.30), donkeys and mules ($4.90). At first glance, we see large silhouettes of animals and poppy petals on a light background. But upon closer examination, additional details appear. Designer Sumin Ha placed a fragment of a historical photograph with animals in each silhouette.

Horses played an important role in military operations, especially in World War I. New Zealand cavalry units - the New Zealand Mounted Rifles took an active part in campaigns in the Middle East, especially in Egypt and Palestine. To staff the expeditionary force in 1914, the New Zealand government purchased 10,000 horses.