Huttpex National Stamp Exhibition

Greetings to Jenny Banfield, President of the New Zealand Philatelic Federation;  Leigh Gravestock, Chairman of the Huttpex Organising Committee; Norman Banfield, Chairman of the Jury; David Holmes, Dealers Representative and Ivor Masters, representative of the Principal Sponsor of Huttpex 2007, New Zealand Post.

Greetings,  Kia Ora,  Kia Orana,  Fakalofa Lahi Atu,  Taloha Ni.

It is a pleasure to be invited to officially open the Huttpex 2007 Stampshow, the second part of the New Zealand National Exhibition organised by the New Zealand Philatelic Federation.

I recently accepted the position of Patron to the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand.  As such, I am keen to learn more about philately in New Zealand—the history, the people, and of course, the stamps themselves.

Last November my husband opened Kiwipex in Christchurch and we met many keen philatelists.  I look forward to discussions with you all this morning and hope that I will learn more about the modern collector.

What I have learned is that philately in New Zealand began with the formation of the Philatelic Society of New Zealand, now the Royal Philatelic Society, in 1888.  Steady growth of the hobby in the years leading up to the First World War saw two other societies established—the first in Christchurch in 1911 and the other in Dunedin in 1913.

In 1919 the first edition if the New Zealand Stamp Collector was published. It printed at the time:

"Philately, it may be said, has emerged from (the) years of war, triumphant; new collectors are joining the fold every day and the status of the hobby is considerably higher now than it ever has been before."

Almost 90 years later, stamp collecting is enjoying another period of growth, most notably with young people.  The New Zealand Philatelic Federation can be credited with helping to build youth interest through its establishment of the Philatelic Youth Council of New Zealand in 1985. The Youth Council remains connected to the Federation more than twenty years on.

Huttpex 2007 includes a junior class.  Youth activities will be run throughout the weekend to actively promote stamp collecting to young people.

Not only will there be an opportunity for stamp collectors to network and discuss their hobby with others who share their passion, - this stamp show is also a chance to share the lure of stamps with the public.

I wish all exhibitors the best of luck for the competition - and for this weekend.

I would like to commend the philatelic community of New Zealand, and the individuals that have made the National Exhibition possible.  I am certain Huttpex 2007 will be a success.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa

I now take pleasure in declaring the Huttpex National Stampshow - the second part of the National Exhibition 2007 - officially open.