Wellington Airport is about to have its wings clipped.
Its two giant eagle sculptures - each of which weighs more than a tonne - are to be packed away, and what will replace them is being kept under wraps.
“It’s not unusual to see airborne departures from Wellington Airport, but in this case, it will be emotional for us,” Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said.
“They have been a huge success and travellers from around the world have loved admiring them. After 12 years it’s the right time for them to fly the nest.”
The sculptures, made by Wētā Workshop, were installed in 2013 as a tie-in with Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit movie trilogy.
“We’re working with Wētā Workshop on some exciting plans for a unique, locally themed replacement to take their place,” Clarke said.
I wonder where they’re going?! They’re pretty awesome, it’d be a shame to see them gone. Maybe Te Papa or the new Town Hall?
Yeah it would be a shame to waste them. My house isn’t quite big enough, maybe Peter Jackson could hang them from his mansion or something? Would be pretty cool to have.