Taniquah is a small island slightly south of Raoul Island, in the Kermadec Trench.  The capital and main urban area is Potaka (population: 4,210.) 

 

Population of the island was 100% Maori in 1900.  Today it is 55% Maori, 40% Mixed (mostly Maori-Pakeha), and 5% Pakeha.  Population is now 6,521.

 

The Ruler is King Utiku IV, holder of the Ariki title.  He was crowned in 1988, and was born in 1976.

 

History:

 

The Chiefs trace their lineage to Tamatea the Navigator, going back a thousand years. The island was settled about 1000 A.D. by East Polynesians.  Europeans arrived in 1821, mostly convicts from Sydney and Norfolk Island.  Missionaries also arrived in 1821.

 

In 1830, the settlement of Potaka was founded. 

 

In 1855, Utiku became the first chief to unify all the clans of the island and became in effect the King.  His descendants still rule to this day.

 

In 1907, New Zealand made the island a Protectorate, to forestall French ambitions.  The French tried to colonise the island for slaves, with their “blackbirding” operations in Vanuatu and Queensland being shut down, but were fought off.  The island was not molested by the Germans, who had colonies on the nearby islands of New Britain and Samoa.

 

Taniquah became independent in 1951.

 

Economy:

 

The country is mostly self-sufficient.  Main occupations include the cultivation of root crops (kumara, taro, and potato in particular), while the Pork industry and Shellfish processing are also significant. 
Taniquah toheroas are renowned throughout the globe.

 

The official language is Maori, though English is the language of commerce, and spoken by all the residents.  Religion is Roman Catholicism (100% adherence.)

 

Philately:

 

The first stamps were issued on 15^th June 1883: the One Penny carmine.  Halfpenny and Twopence-halfpenny values followed the following year.

 

The first pictorial stamps were issued in 1896, a year which saw the first high-denomination fiscals also.

 

The first commemorative stamp appeared in 1920, to celebrate the Coronation of King Arapeta (Albert).

 

In 1923, Taniquah issued a commemorative stamp honouring Vladimir Lenin, the chairman of Russia, and this was the first time that Lenin was shown on a stamp (Russia did not feature him on stamps until his death in 1924.)  Lenin is highly regarded in Taniquah, and has been shown on several other stamps over the years.  Captain Cook is another well-known navigator who has also been shown on Taniquah stamps.

 

Today, Taniquah steadfastly refuses to become a “wallpaper-producer”, issuing numerous stamps every few weeks to exploit collectors like many modern lands do.  Instead, it issues just a few tasteful and sensible stamps, to the delight of philatelists everywhere.