Dunedin and Shanghai are sister cities and Mr Gibson said in an interview from Shanghai that the agreement for the museums to exhibit such beautiful and symbolic items was a "terrific initiative".
The use of jade, a resource valued by both Chinese and New Zealanders, highlighted aspects of connection between the people of China and the people of New Zealand.
"Otago has been able to team up with one of the great museums of the world in the last few years. Teaming up to work together for such an important exhibition is a special gesture. This will certainly add something to our presence here."
Much of the work being carried out for the New Zealand pavilion was driven around showcasing New Zealand through economic and business activities, he said.
The generosity of the museums had introduced the cultural people-to-people element which was very symbolic.
The Chinese were promising to make the expo of "epic proportions" and after a visit this week to both Beijing and Shanghai, Mr Gibson said he had no doubt that the expo would be the biggest ever event of its kind.
"We just have to be here. China is fundamental to our future and economic wellbeing. Our exports to China went up an astronomical amount. This is a unique opportunity to showcase what we can offer."
The Otago Museum selection was a large and striking hei tiki.
Worn as pendants, hei tiki were the best known pieces of New Zealand Maori adornment.
Otago Museum chief executive Shimrath Paul said hei tiki took the form of a human-like character, seemingly sitting cross-legged.
The hei tiki selected had wide eyes made from inset paua shell.
The artefact was selected by the Otago Museum Maori advisory committee who represented the four runaka of the Otago region.
The Shanghai Museum had selected a valuable jade cong for the display, Mr Paul said.
A cong was a tall ancient vessel, square on the outside and circular on the inside.
The cong to be displayed was from the Liangzhu Culture and around 5000 years old.
The repeated motif carved into the cong's exterior represented a human face.
The polished exterior reflected the light, emphasising the sheen-like qualities of the superior piece of Jade, he said.
The cong was 12.6cm high and 7.3cm wide at its widest point. The hei tiki was 16cm high and 9.6cm wide.
