A new exhibition to celebrate one of our most famous sheep.

Shrek the Sheep is making his debut at Te Papa this morning in an exhibition telling his story as a wooly renegade.

Shrek shot to fame in 2004 when he was discovered on Bendigo Station in Central Otago after avoiding capture for six years.

His fleece weighed 27 kilograms, considerably more than his own body weight.

Bendigo's owner John Perriam says he has fond memories of his time with Shrek, travelling the country first class and seeing him earn more than an All Black for public and corporate appearances.