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New Zealand Post revealed its seventh version of the round Kiwi on
June 5th with the denomination $1.50. This distinctive showcase of
New Zealand's national symbol first produced in olive green in 1988, then
in red (1991), blue (1993), purple (1997) and gold (2000). In 2002 it makes
its appearance in burnished bronze - a colour redolent with age-old associations
of strength and solidarity.
The kiwi itself is a unique survivor from an ancient evolutionary past.
Numbering in the millions just 200 years ago, today the species totals
only about 70,000, and continues to decline in population owing to predators
such as cats, dogs, stoats, ferrets and possums. However, help is at hand
with the Kiwi Recovery Programme, which aims to maintain and where possible
enhance the abundance, distribution and genetic diversity of this nocturnal,
flightless bird.
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Original information and image from New
Zealand Post
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