Terracotta Warriors exhibition at Te Papa

From this weekend, 15 December, the public can view a statue army of eight men and two horses at Te Papa. RNZ / Charlie Dreaver

The warriors were made to guard the tomb of Qin Shihuang, China's First Emperor. RNZ / Charlie Dreaver

In the Afterlife Room of the exhibit a replica of the copper chariot and horses is seen. RNZ / Charlie Dreaver

Students at Mount Cook School were among the first to have a glimpse of the warriors. RNZ / Charlie Dreaver

It took two years of work for the exhibit to come to fruition. RNZ / Charlie Dreaver

The bronze goose is a rare sight with only 40 made for the Emperor's mausoleum. RNZ / Charlie Dreaver

Public view artwork at the Te Papa exhibit. RNZ / Charlie Dreaver

Massey University design student Dan Jing and fellow design student Syemin Sheri say the exhibit was fantastic to see and resonated with them. RNZ / Charlie Dreaver

Visual Artist Kerry Ann Lee, who is a third generation New Zealander with Chinese heritage, created a room in the exhibit. RNZ / Charlie Dreaver