Born in 1998
Turns 28 in 2026
Gifts for someone born in 1998
1998 Front PageTheir name. The news from their year.Unframed from $51.50Add their name
Their birth chartThe sky as astrology reads it, cast for one birth.Unframed from $51.50
The Years We Were BornThe whole family, together in years.Unframed from $51.50
Our Story timelineTheir life, told in your words.Unframed from $51.50
Front Page: New Zealand edition. The year is filled in; add their name in the editor. “Your name” is a placeholder. Light news is selected. A new keepsake, not an original newspaper.
BACK TO 1998 · New Zealand
A little history to go with their gift.
Leaders signed the Good Friday Agreement, women’s ice hockey made its Olympic debut at Nagano, and researchers recovered active black smokers from the Pacific seafloor. These records link peace-building, sport and deep-ocean science in 1998.
What happened in 1998?
Black Ferns become world champions
The Black Ferns claimed the world title, a defining achievement for New Zealand rugby and women’s sport.
Auckland power crisis lasts for weeks
The 1998 electricity crisis lasted more than a month, disrupting Auckland businesses and leading to an inquiry into Mercury Energy.
Zarya begins assembling the space station
Russia launched the Zarya module on 20 November 1998, beginning the on-orbit assembly of the International Space Station.
Denver wins its first Super Bowl.
The Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers 31–24 in Super Bowl XXXII on January 25, 1998, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Denver won its first Super Bowl.
Firsts and new ideas
Pappa Bear reaches No. 1 in New Zealand with ‘Cherish’
Cherish by Pappa Bear ranked first on New Zealand’s Official Top 40 Singles for 20–26 February 1998.
FDA Approves Viagra for Erectile Dysfunction
The US Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra for erectile dysfunction on March 27, 1998.
U.S. Government Publishing Office / Food and Drug Administration · TIME
Number ones and music in 1998
Chart positions belong to the country and chart named in each record.
Cher gives dance pop a new voice
Cher's Believe arrived in Britain in October 1998, giving the veteran singer a dance-pop hit built around an unusually bright vocal sound.
Prices and everyday money in 1998
New Zealand figures in the money of the time. Units and sources matter: these are not today's prices.
| Item or measure | Then | Unit and source |
|---|---|---|
| Cinema (adult avg.) | $9.77 | one admission Statistics New Zealand |
| Petrol (annual avg.) | $0.85 | litre MBIE via Figure.NZ |
| Average weekly earnings, total (males and females combined) | $643.71 | NZ dollars per week Statistics New Zealand / Stats NZ |
| Standard domestic letter postage (ordinary medium letter) | 40 cents per standard letter | one standard domestic letter Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) |
Planning the birthday
Someone born in 1998 turns 28 in 2026. Before their birthday they are one year younger. Choose the birth year for the print; add the full date in the editor if you know it.
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