New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar as its circulation currency for daily transactions. The country also issues a number of commemorative and collector coins, including in the internationally popular one ounce of silver format (abbreviated as 1 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). Authorised by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the official issuer of these coins is NZ Post - which also issues the country's postal stamps. Manufacturing of the coins is commissioned to various foreign mints.
The coins are "Non-Circulating Legal Tender" (NCLT) and not bullion because they are issued at prices much higher than their intrinsic value and are targeted at collectors who appreciate them for their artistic or sentimental value, and not at bullion investors.
NZ Post says about the coin: The pīwakawaka is fantail species found only in Aotearoa New Zealand. Its distinctive "cheet cheet" call is a common feature of forests and backyards all over the country.
The pīwakawaka (known by 20 or 30 other names) also has an important place in Māori mythology: it is said be responsible for the presence of death in the world. The demigod Māui, believing he could give mankind everlasting life by entering the goddess of death through the pathway of birth, was thwarted when the pīwakawaka woke. The goddess, Hine-nui-te-pō, was so angry with Māui that she ended his life by crushing him between her legs. Although not to be feared, it can be interpreted as a sign of a death to come. |