From fashion to housing, China has a rich history of influence on Hawke's Bay.
MTG Hawke's Bay's latest exhibition, Bringing China Home, showcases the long association between the Bay and China.
"It tells the story that China has always been part of Hawke's Bay, not just in recent times when we look to it for trade and investment," curator Dr James Beattie said.
The University of Waikato associate professor said Chinese influence was reflected in local 19th century trends.
"Wealthier residents imported beautiful silk garments and grew species of Chinese flowers and ornamentals ... households everywhere used the classic blue-and-white dinnerware with scenes of oriental lovers fleeing a wrathful Mandarin."