Landing of Maori in New Zealand around 1350
Maori history was transmitted orally from generation to generation in pre-European times. A continuing examination of the traditions, archaeological, linguistic and cultural evidence, has discredited the 'great fleet theory' of the Maori arrival in New Zealand. The consensus among scholars now is that the Polynesians originally moved into the Pacific from the west, spread eastwards, and that the Maori came most recently from the eastern Pacific (that is from Tahiti or the Marquesas). They began to arrive here in small groups, starting more than 1000 years ago, probably via islands to the north-east. The scene depicted on the stamp is an original conception by the artist of the arrival of one of the canoes The Maoris have been pictured as arriving in a state of physical exhaustion, the inevitable consequence, despite their magnificent seafaring skills, of weeks spent in open canoes. The first Maori arrived in the canoe ARAWA or TAINUI.
Te ARAWA made final landfall at Maketū in the Bay of Plenty. The TAINUI arrived at Kāwhia Harbour, between Auckland and New Plymouth .
More info on the canoe ARAWA is given on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arawa_(canoe)
New Zealand 1940 ½d sg613, scott?
Source: New Zealand Post.