Wellington Airport is saying goodbye to its famous giant eagle sculptures, which have greeted travelers since 2013. The two massive birds—each more than 15 meters wide and weighing over a tonne—will be taken down and stored starting Friday night.
The sculptures were created by Wētā Workshop as part of a promotion for The Hobbit movie trilogy by Peter Jackson. One eagle even features the wizard Gandalf riding on its back. The eagles have become a popular photo spot and a beloved part of the airport’s look.
“It will be emotional for us,” said airport chief executive Matt Clarke. “They’ve been a huge success, but after 12 years it’s time for them to fly the nest.”
The airport hasn’t revealed what will replace the eagles, but Clarke said something new and locally themed is on the way. The full terminal makeover, including a new multi-level hospitality area, will be revealed later this year.
Richard Taylor, co-founder of Wētā Workshop, called the departure “bittersweet” but hinted at exciting new ideas to come.
One of the eagles had a scare in 2014 when it fell during an earthquake. A WorkSafe investigation found that its weight had been underestimated during installation.
The future of the eagle sculptures is still unknown, but for now, they’ll rest in storage as the airport prepares for its next adventure.
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