Story by Delphine Herbert, senior reporter for RNZ

New Zealanders have the opportunity to get up close and personal with treasures from Egypt, as the largest collection of ancient artefacts goes on display in Aotearoa.

The collection, Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs, opens on Thursday at Auckland War Memorial Museum.

It reveals the everyday life of one of history's most influential cultures, showcasing more than 300 artefacts, including mummified remains and jewellery. Some date back as far as 4500 years.

The exhibition aimed to transport visitors back in time, to life at the time of Egypt's powerful pharaohs, legendary pyramids and classic art.

Egyptologist and professor Regine Schulz who helped put the display together said there was plenty to see.

"Ancient Egyptian pharaohs, and there is a wonderful head of a pharaoh which comes from the first century, and we also have beautiful jewellery."

Included in the exhibition are the mummified remains of Ta-Khar, a wealthy Egyptian woman who lived in Thebes during the 25th Dynasty, and adornments worn by ancient Egyptians.

Bust of a New Kingdom Queen. Early new Kingdom (ca. 1550 BC). Dark red granite. Photo: Roemer- und Pelizaeus Museum Hildesheim

There are also stunning carved reliefs and statues of animals, deities and pharaohs.

Auckland War Memorial Museum chief executive David Gaimster said it was significant for the whole country.

"This is a one-in-a-generation opportunity. We don't get the opportunity to bring major exhibitions from Europe like this, on this scale, very often.

"We've been planning this for a long time. We really wanted to create a very rich and exciting programme for rebooting the museum after Covid and all those lockdowns."

A coffin for the overseer of the granary Nakht in the exhibition Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs. Photo: MuseumsPartner

He said New Zealanders were very interested in Egypt's history.

"Ancient Egypt was a foundational civilisation that inspired many societies around the world and continues to do so. Ancient Egyptians created symbols of power that we still recognise today and had sophisticated spiritual beliefs. They demonstrated humanity's ingenuity in architecture, engineering and construction, and used the river Nile landscape to support a rich and complex culture."

The collection will be on display until 12 November.

Story originally posted by Radio New Zealand