Wellington Airport plans to dismantle its famous Hobbit-themed eagle sculptures, beloved for over a decade, to introduce a new and mysterious exhibit.
NZ Airport to Retire Iconic Hobbit Eagles to Make Way for New Exhibit
NZ Airport to Retire Iconic Hobbit Eagles to Make Way for New Exhibit
Wellington Airport's beloved eagle sculptures, inspired by JRR Tolkien's work, will be removed to introduce a fresh attraction.
The colossal eagle sculptures, which have graced the airport since their unveiling in 2013, will be taken down this Friday to pave the way for an upcoming attraction. Representing messengers from JRR Tolkien’s narratives in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, the giant birds hold considerable cultural value, particularly with Sir Peter Jackson's cinematic adaptations showcasing New Zealand's stunning landscapes.
Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke expressed mixed emotions regarding the removal, stating, "It's not unusual to see airborne departures from Wellington Airport, but in this case, it will be emotional for us." The 1.2-tonne eagles, designed with a polystyrene exterior and a robust steel skeleton—complete with a 15m wingspan and feathers stretching up to 2.4m—are set to be stored without any current plans for their long-term future.
Though the eagles will be missed, the airport will continue to display another franchise favorite: Smaug the Magnificent, the famed dragon from The Hobbit, will remain at the check-in area.
Wētā Workshop, the Auckland-based artists behind the eagles, also played a pivotal role in creating props and costumes for the broader franchise. Clarke assures fans that exciting replacements, with a distinctly local theme, will take the eagles' place, with further announcements set for later this year. Past incidents, like an earthquake causing one eagle to fall in 2014 with no injuries reported, have highlighted the sculptures' presence as both a marvel and a vulnerability. As the airport prepares for this change, the skies are set to be filled with anticipation for the next artistic chapter.
Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke expressed mixed emotions regarding the removal, stating, "It's not unusual to see airborne departures from Wellington Airport, but in this case, it will be emotional for us." The 1.2-tonne eagles, designed with a polystyrene exterior and a robust steel skeleton—complete with a 15m wingspan and feathers stretching up to 2.4m—are set to be stored without any current plans for their long-term future.
Though the eagles will be missed, the airport will continue to display another franchise favorite: Smaug the Magnificent, the famed dragon from The Hobbit, will remain at the check-in area.
Wētā Workshop, the Auckland-based artists behind the eagles, also played a pivotal role in creating props and costumes for the broader franchise. Clarke assures fans that exciting replacements, with a distinctly local theme, will take the eagles' place, with further announcements set for later this year. Past incidents, like an earthquake causing one eagle to fall in 2014 with no injuries reported, have highlighted the sculptures' presence as both a marvel and a vulnerability. As the airport prepares for this change, the skies are set to be filled with anticipation for the next artistic chapter.
