Funds to underwrite exhibition approved

The MTG museum has only just been officially opened and already their are plans for many high class exhibitions.

The Napier City Council has approved the spending of up to $125,000 to underwrite some of the cost of bringing the famed Han Dynasty terracotta warriors exhibit to the new MTG museum and art gallery next year.

The sum from a 2012-2013 rates surplus, but hopefully to be offset by sponsorship, was approved yesterday at the council's last meeting before disbanding ahead of the local body elections on Saturday.

Scheduled tentatively for October 2014-April 2015, the exhibition will feature about 120 pieces from a collection of over 8000 statues of soldiers, plus miniature chariots and horses, discovered by Chinese farmers in 1974.

Depicting the armies of First Emperor Qin Shi Huang, they date back as far as 2300 years.

Displays first started appearing outside China in 2004, with record-breaking exhibitions having taken place in a number of mainly Northern Hemisphere cities.

Outgoing Mayor Barbara Arnott believes the same can now happen at the MTG and says the display will be "huge for Hawke's Bay."

A meeting report from council economic development manager Ron Massey said the costs will be considerably greater than the amount being put aside by the council.

Hireage alone could cost up to US$120,000 (about $144,700), but the curator of the Xuzhou Museum, in Napier with a delegation for the museum opening last month, said he would seek some support from the Chinese government.

Mrs Arnott received an assurance of New Zealand Government cover for insurance.