National Exhibitions
Open (no age limit)
Youth (less than 22 years)
One Frame Exhibitions
Other Exhibitions and Displays
Exhibition Classes
Competitive FIP Clases
Competitive Non-FIP Clases
Awards
Judging of Exhibitions
Medal Awards
Gemstone Awards

 Stamp Exhbitions New Zealand Post will be attending

The following is reproduced from one of four brochures about stamp collecting produced by The New Zealand Philatelic Federation.

  National Exhibitions

National exhibitions must be approved by the NZ Philatelic Federation. This is to ensure a uniform standard is applied so awards can qualify the exhibitor for international exhibitions. New Zealand has an enviable reputation in international philately that we wish to maintain.

 Open (No Age Limitation)

An entry in the Open class at a national exhibition (other than for one frame nationals) has a minimum size of 3 frames (48 pages) and a maximum of 8 frames (128 pages).

 Youth (Less Than 22 Years)

Youth competitive classes have varying sizes depending on the age of the entrant. There are development classes of 8- or 16-page exhibits while for national class the age ranges and exhibit sizes are:

Under 16 years: 2 - 3 frames
16 - 17 years: 2 - 4 frames
18 - 19 years: 2 - 4 frames;
and
20 -21 years: 3 - 5 frames.

Youth can exhibit in the full range of exhibiting classes available for the open category.

 One Frame Exhibitions

Societies are encouraged to stage one frame competitions and exhibitions. Only where the word 'national', or other term which would imply national or international participation, is used is NZ Philatelic Federation approval required. A one frame competition held in conjunction with a national exhibition is automatically a 'national one frame exhibition.

With one-frame competitions there is no need for classes although they can be helpful in deciding the arrangement of the display frames. A main aim of one-frame displays is to allow free rein for exhibitors and innovative ideas - in terms of both material and the manner of display - and this should be encouraged.

There is debate regarding the role of one-frame exhibitions. Some see them as a stepping stone to the larger (3 frame minimum) competitions and others as providing advanced exhibitors the opportunity to display, with the full rigour of exhibiting discipline, a small but complete study of a subject unlikely ever to reach the breadth of a multi-frame exhibit. Both in New Zealand and overseas one frame exhibiting is evolving and is likely to continue to do so.

 Other Exhibitions And Displays

There are a number of societies which have regular club and inter-club competitions. These generally do not necessarily follow the judging criteria set down for national exhibitions, but many of the same principles would be followed. Many societies also produce non-competitive displays for special anniversaries or on a regular basis. These give members an opportunity to display their collections and are used to publicise the hobby and the existence of the society to the general public.

 Exhibition Classes

National exhibition classes may be based on those defined by the international philatelic federation (FIP).

 Competitive FIP Classes

Traditional: different aspects of a stamp issue including details such as day of issue, designers, printers, perforations, papers, etc.

Postal history and marcophilia (postmark): the usage of stamps identifying rates, routes, etc and the postmarks applied as proof of mailing.

Aerophilately (air mail): material relating to the passage of mail by air.

Astrophilately: material relating to space travel including material flown by rockets, etc.

Postal stationery: material with an officially authorised postal imprint.

Revenues: stamps used to pay tax.

Thematic: philatelic material displayed according to a subject or topic.

Maximaphily: postcards with the stamp and postal cancellation on the picture side.

Literature: publications including monographs and books, catalogues and society newsletters dealing with any aspect of philately.

 Competitive Non-FIP Classes

Social philately: or

Open class: (almost) anything goes

Cinderella: material often resembling stamps but generally not valid for postal use.

Entries not provided for elsewhere: those not clearly fitting any one of the above categories.

 Awards

A range of awards can be granted at New Zealand National Exhibitions. They could include the following:

Grand Award of the exhibition: normally donated by New Zealand Post Ltd.

Runner Up to the Grand Award - Fletcher-Cole Trophy: donated by the Fletcher-Cole Memorial Trust.

Felicitations of the Jury: for entries demonstrating exceptional philatelic research or originality.

Medals: awarded in relation to the points assigned to the exhibit.

Special Awards: may be received by the organisers of the exhibition from donors and are awarded at the discretion of the Jury.

Certificates: detailing the level of award, the name of the exhibitor and a brief description of the entry are provided for each exhibit.

 Judging Of Exhibitions

Judging of competitive FIP classes at national exhibitions is largely based on FIP General Regulations for Evaluation of Exhibits (GREVs) and the Special Regulations for the Evaluation of Exhibits (SREVs). Most classes use a number of particular judging criteria including: treatment, importance, knowledge and research, condition and rarity and presentation. Judging is carried out in accordance with these criteria by judges approved by the NZ Philatelic Federation having met strict criteria.

 Medal Awards

Medals are awarded based on the level of points an exhibit achieves. They are as follows:

  
[Note: Silver Gold may be called Vermeil]

 Gemstone Awards

Gemstone awards are used for national one frame exhibitions or where non-FIP special classes have been accepted at an exhibition. They convey a level of achievement against a relevant criteria but avoid any confusion with the medal awards of internationally accepted philatelic exhibiting classes.