The Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand

The Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand Expert Committee


The Expert Committee is a group of New Zealand's leading philatelists. It provides internationally respected opinions on the identity and genuineness of New Zealand and Pacific Islands philatelic material. [It is unable to provide opinions on material from outside of this area.] The Committee is affiliated to the AIEP and is on the Register of Expert Examiners of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage for consultation regarding philatelic material being considered for export. Its services are available to New Zealand and overseas philatelists, stamp dealers and members of the public.

Items submitted are reviewed by at least two members of the Committee—more if an item is particularly challenging—and a Certificate of Opinion issued based on their findings. Each Certificate is individually numbered, includes a colour photograph of the item and bears the official stamp of the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand.

The fee for the service is $150 per item. For members of the Society this is discounted to $75 for the first item plus $60 for each additional item submitted at the same time. Refunds are given if items cannot be examined due to lack of knowledge of the Committee but fees remain chargeable if examination determines that certification would not be appropriate.

Submissions are returned via signature-required courier, normally within 6-8 weeks. Items returned overseas incur an additional charge:
  • Australia: $30
  • Asia/South Pacific: $40
  • Rest of the World: $50
Do not send payments with submissions. Invoices are issued upon receipt of submissions, acknowledging receipt and providing a link to our online payments page. Payment by direct credit is preferred for submissions from within New Zealand; by debit/credit card for submissions from overseas.

A Submission Form should be sent with each item. Submissions may be:
  • posted (signature required) to PO Box 17 458, Karori Central, Wellington 6147, New Zealand
  • couriered (signature required)—via New Zealand Post CourierPost—to PO Box 17 458, Karori Central, Wellington 6147, New Zealand
  • couriered (signature required)—via any other domestic or international courier—to Level 1, 240 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand clearly marked for delivery only during our Office Hours
Items sent to our Jackson Street office or Wellington Mail Centre PO Box are subject to a $10 forwarding fee and can take up to two weeks longer to process.

Items should be insured by their owners for their journey to the Committee. They are covered by our insurance while they are in our possession and for their return journey.