The giant eagle sculptures at Wellington Airport, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films, are set to be removed on Friday. The eagles have been a significant attraction for over a decade, welcoming visitors to New Zealand with their impressive presence. Each eagle weighs 1.2 tonnes and features a wingspan of 15 meters.
They consist of polystyrene bodies, internal steel skeletons, and hundreds of feathers. One of the eagles is accompanied by a sculpture of the wizard Gandalf. Wellington Airport Chief Executive Matt Clarke expressed the emotional impact of the eagles’ departure, stating, “It’s not unusual to see airborne departures from Wellington Airport, but in this case, it will be emotional for us.” The eagles will be placed in storage with no current plans for their long-term future.
Eagles depart Wellington Airport
Despite the removal of the eagles, fans of the franchise can still enjoy Smaug the Magnificent, the dragon from “The Hobbit,” which will continue to be displayed at the check-in area. The eagles were created by Wētā Workshop, the New Zealand-based company known for producing costumes and props for “The Lord of the Rings” franchise.
They were installed in 2013, coinciding with the release of “The Hobbit” trilogy. Mr. Clarke hinted at exciting plans for a unique, locally themed replacement, stating, “We’re working with Wētā Workshop on some exciting plans for a unique, locally themed replacement to take their place.
We’ll unveil what’s next later this year so keep watching the skies.
In 2014, one of the eagles famously came crashing down during an earthquake, though thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. The removal of the iconic sculptures marks the end of an era for Wellington Airport, but the anticipation for the new mystery exhibit keeps the spirit of creativity and wonder alive.
