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Aucklanders are invited to step into the ring from 7 October as King Pin, a unique, new exhibition showcasing the extraordinary personal collection of New Zealand’s foremost boxing and wrestling historian, the late Dave Cameron, opens at Central City Library on 7 October. More than a sports exhibition, King Pin offers a rare glimpse into a lifetime of passion, dedication and storytelling. Built over decades by Cameron, a former boxer, wrestler, sports journalist and relentless collector, the exhibition brings together an unparalleled archive documenting the history of boxing and wrestling in Aotearoa from the early 1900s. Auckland Council Libraries Lead Curator Kirsty Webb says Aucklanders are in for a treat as they step into Dave Cameron’s world and discover a collection unlike anything else. “Visitors will come face-to-face with a treasure trove assembled by someone who didn’t just report on the sport, he lived it and loved it. We’re incredibly grateful to the Cameron family for their generous contribution to our Heritage Collections. We wanted to honour Dave by retaining the spirit of how he kept and experienced the collection himself - it’s fascinating, nostalgic and deeply personal. “Cameron knew many of the athletes personally, covered countless events and meticulously documented eras when boxing and wrestling packed halls and captivated audiences across the country. So, rest assured every scrapbook, photo album and clipping tells a story, not only about boxing and wrestling, but about the communities that gathered around them. Whether you’re a sports fan, history buff, collector or simply curious, there’s something here that every Aucklander will get a kick out of.” Leaning into the nostalgia of boxing and wrestling’s golden years, the exhibition is organised into three themed sections:
Alongside exhibition cases filled with albums, scrapbooks and memorabilia, visitors can explore large-scale reproductions of posters from the collection, audiovisual displays featuring vintage photos and posters and a replica of Cameron’s legendary A2-sized Hulk Hogan scrapbook (too large to fit in the display cases) will also be on show. Councillor Julie Fairey, Community Committee Chair, reflects on what a special donation this is to the Heritage Collections and how the exhibition captures a fascinating chapter of social history in Aotearoa. “At its heart, King Pin is about connection. It demonstrates how boxing and wrestling brought communities together, while the collection itself is an act of generosity that continues that legacy. Dave Cameron spent a lifetime preserving these stories, and now his collection is available for all Aucklanders through our libraries’ Heritage Collections. We hope visitors will be inspired by the passion behind it and enjoy exploring this extraordinary window into our past.” Visitors can also enjoy a varied programme of events throughout the exhibition’s six-month run, including curator talks and tours, Knocked Out Exhibition Contenders, Gloves Off: a beginners guide to caring for your collection, film discussions, scrapbooking, journaling workshops, musical performances and much more. King Pin is a free exhibition and opens from 7 October at Central City Library. To read this and other stories, visit OurAuckland.nz. #ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #loveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere ##hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay @followers #followers @everyone #everyone #waitematalocalboard @highlight
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Step into the ring: New exhibition ‘King Pin’ lands a heavyweight punch at Central City Library
