Massive Eagle Sculptures, Modelled After 'The Hobbit', to Leave New Zealand Airport Soon
Chillin' out at Wellington Airport's famous eagle duo, no more!
Gone are the days when Wellington Airport's grand eagle sculptures, inspired by the iconic "Tolkienverse," captivated visitors for more than a decade! These flying fellows, with a sculpture of Gandalf gracefully perched, are about to wing their way out of the airport, leaving on Friday.
Back in 2011, these wonderful wonders were unveiled alongside the release of Peter Jackson's epic "The Hobbit" movie trilogy. Filmed across New Zealand, these movies elevated the nation to the status of Middle-Earth on celluloid, resulting in a flood of tourism seeking out iconic filming locations.
Each eagle weighs a whopping 1.2 tons and boasts a majestic 49-foot wingspan. Fashioned from a steel frame, polystyrene body, and an impressive 1,000 feathers (the longest stretching an impressive 8 feet), these fellows towered over airport goers with an ethereal presence.
Tolkien's eagles are legendary creatures, flying to the rescue of their fellow Middle-Earth inhabitants in dire situations.
These aerial titans will be safely stowed in storage once dismantled, but no permanent plans for their future have been decided yet. Matt Clarke, the airport's CEO, commented, "While we're used to flights taking off from Wellington Airport, it'll be an emotional moment to see these beloved sculptures take flight too."
Weta Workshop, the same team behind props and effects for "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogies, crafted these beating heart sculptures. Although Clarke didn't divulge what replacements await, he did mention exciting new plans for an authentic, locally themed exhibition, developed in tandem with Weta Workshop, are in the works for later this year as part of a terminal revamp.
Smaug, the fabulous dragon famous from "The Hobbit," will still remain in the check-in area, Wellington Airport confirmed. So farewell, magnificent flight duo, but no worries, we've still got dragon Smaug to help brighten our days at the terminal!
[1] Wellington Airport removes iconic eagle sculptures by Stuff.co.nz, published March 2023.
[2] Weta Workshop created eagle sculptures for Wellington Airport by Mike Pyle, published March 2013.
As Wellington Airport bids farewell to the iconic Tolkien-inspired eagle sculptures, a fresh wave of lifestyle changes might be on the horizon, with a promised update featuring local themes and exhibits crafted by Weta Workshop. The vacated space for these soaring beauties could signal a shift in the airport's fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, travel, and cars experiences, offering visitors a unique blend of traditional and modern New Zealand culture.
Meanwhile, travel enthusiasts can still encounter other famous on-screen characters like Smaug, the fabulous dragon, ensuring a continued blend of Middle-Earth allure and contemporary airport ambiance.
