Wellington Airport Bids Farewell to Hobbit-themed Eagles Amid Exciting Changes

Wellington Airport is set to remove its beloved Hobbit-themed eagle sculptures, which have been a prominent feature since 2013, to introduce a new mystery exhibit. While the giant birds will be placed in storage, the airport's management promises a locally-themed replacement will be announced soon.

Wellington Airport will soon bid farewell to its beloved Hobbit-themed eagle sculptures, which have greeted visitors for over a decade. Airport authorities announced that the two towering sculptures, which play homage to J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic works, will be unfastened from the ceiling this Friday to make way for an undisclosed new exhibit.

These majestic eagles serve as an artistic representation of the messengers featured in the film adaptations directed by Sir Peter Jackson, which have played a crucial role in boosting New Zealand's tourism industry by showcasing its breathtaking landscapes. Matt Clarke, the chief executive of Wellington Airport, expressed a bittersweet sentiment regarding their removal, noting, “It’s not unusual to see airborne departures from Wellington Airport, but in this case, it will be emotional for us.”

Weighing in at 1.2 tonnes (1,200 kg) each with an impressive wingspan of 15 meters (49 feet), the sculptures are not just decorative pieces but also symbolically significant to fans of the franchise. Each eagle, crafted from polystyrene with a steel skeleton and adorned with hundreds of long feathers, includes a sculpture of Gandalf perched on one of their backs. The eagles were revealed in 2013, coinciding with the launch of The Hobbit trilogy and were crafted by Wētā Workshop, a prominent New Zealand company known for its work in film props and costumes.

Despite the departure of the iconic sculptures, Wellington Airport reassured fans that not all is lost; Smaug the Magnificent, the dragon from The Hobbit series, will remain on display in the check-in area for visitors to enjoy. Clarke added that plans for a "unique, locally themed replacement" are in the works alongside Wētā Workshop, hinting at a future unveiling later this year with a promise to keep “watching the skies.”

Interestingly, one of the eagles famously crashed to the ground during an earthquake in 2014, though thankfully, no injuries were reported from the incident. With this upcoming transition, Wellington Airport is investing in fresh attractions that align with local culture while simultaneously embracing its cinematic legacy.