TARAPEX 98 was held at the TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand from 7 to 9 August 1998.  The Australian entries constituted over 25% of the whole exhibition with 36 exhibits and 154 frames.  The exhibition consisted of 3 sections: the main philatelic section with all classes (approximately 460 frames); a single frame 16 page section (55 frames); and the picture postcard section (47 frames).  The theme of the exhibition was the celebration of the Centennial of New Zealand First Pictorial Issue of stamps in 1898.  New Zealand Post was the main sponsor and 2 miniature sheets were produced to support the Exhibition.  Admission was free and a public stamp auction was held by the Taranaki Philatelic Society during the Exhibition.  The Chairman's Reception and the Palmares were very well organised and all the participants enjoyed the food and wine as well as the medal presentations.

Due to the extensive news coverage in the local press, with a supplement the day before the Exhibition and a front page large coloured picture and article in the Saturday newspaper, a good steady crowd attended on all days.  On the last day there were about 80 people waiting to get in at the opening time of 10:00am.

I was Australian Commissioner, Mark Jurisich the Assistant Commissioner and Derek Pocock kindly assisted in carrying the 8 Western Australian exhibits.  All 3 of us were on the judging panel. Other Australians who visited the Exhibition included David Ingle Smith, Kim and Kevin Dwyer and John Sandler.

Two equal Grand Awards (gold - 89 points) were presented.  Grand Award - National to Jeff Long for his New Zealand First Pictorial Issue and Grand Award - Overseas to Hans Karman for his Australian Privileged Mail 1813's to 1920's.  I accepted on Hans' behalf an impressive modern New Zealand jade sculpture presented by the Taranaki Philatelic Society.  On behalf of the Australian Commissioners, Judges and visitors I would like to thank and congratulate the TARAPEX 98 Chairman, Stephen Chivers and his Organising Committee on a very enjoyable Exhibition and a job well done.  Australian exhibitors achieved great success in the higher awards - 1 our of 5 total golds, 11 out of 16 large vermeils, 2 out of 4 vermeils and 6 out of 23 large silvers.