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3mo ago

Wellington Airport Retires Iconic Hobbit Eagle Sculptures After 12 Years

The 15-meter-wide eagles, crafted by Wētā Workshop, will be removed by Friday and placed in storage, with hopes for future museum display.

A sculpture of an eagle from the Hobbit films, ridden by the wizard Gandalf, hangs over the food court area of Wellington Airport, in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)
One of the sculptures hangs over the food court area in Wellington Airport, New Zealand.
Passengers walk past a sculpture of the dragon Smaug from the Hobbit films at the check-in area at Wellington Airport in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)
Passengers wait to board a flight at Wellington Airport below the sculpture of an eagle from the Hobbit films, in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay)

Overview

  • Wellington Airport is removing its two giant eagle sculptures, installed in 2013 to celebrate Peter Jackson's Hobbit films, as part of terminal redesign plans.
  • The eagles, each with a 50-foot wingspan and weighing 2,600 pounds, will be placed in storage after their removal, with a potential museum relocation under consideration.
  • Crafted by Wētā Workshop, the sculptures have been a symbol of Wellington's connection to The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film franchises, which brought billions in tourism revenue to New Zealand.
  • The airport plans to replace the eagles with a new Wētā Workshop-designed display, set to be unveiled later this year, while the Smaug dragon sculpture will remain on-site.
  • Travelers have until Friday to view the eagles before their departure, marking the end of an era for the airport's Tolkien-themed installations.