monumental statue of Gandalf astride an eagle leaves Wellington airport permanently
Farewell, Majestic Eagles: Wellington Airport Bids Adieu to Iconic Lord of the Rings Sculptures
Operating under a relaxed, conversational vibe, let's delve into the departure of an iconic duo stationed at New Zealand's Wellington Airport for more than a decade. The towering eagles, immortalized from the Hobbit films, have gracefully stood guard since 2013. Standing at a whopping 50 feet and weighing an astonishing 1.1 ton each, these magnificent bird sculptures have enchanted tourists while giving children the occasional fright.
No stranger to calamitous events, one of these avian marvels even took a tumble during a fierce earthquake in 2016, only to miraculously land on the terminal floor without harming anyone. Residing there ever since are Gandalf, riding one of the eagles, and his winged companion.
As announced by the airport's CEO, Matt Clarke, this month marks the end of the fantasy-infused era at the airport. "We've had quite the Lord of the Rings motif going on here," Clarke commented. "But now, we're aiming for something fresh and new."
Verity Johnson, a regular traveler who found solace beneath the clawing grip of one eagle in the food court, voiced her sorrow. "I beg you, reconsider taking them away. They've always been a part of my adventure here," she said wistfully. Another visitor, Michael Parks, joked, "Taking them away is just plain un-New Zealand!"
The sculptures were the brainchild of Wētā Workshop, the film props and effects company that crafted countless props for Jackson's Oscar-winning fantasy films. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's cherished novels, these movies generated billions in tourism revenue for New Zealand and employed thousands in Wellington over the 15 years of their production.
Although the cathedral of fantasy tourism has subsided in Wellington, the city will forever be linked to the enchanting world of Jackson's films. Tour operators still run guided tours to the filming sites and companies such as Wētā, which will present a new airport display in due course, as per Clarke.
Alas, time's wings have begun to sweep the eagles away. Travelers have until this Friday to bid farewell to the feathered friends before they retreat into storage. Clarke hopes to find them a new home in a museum.
"They are truly a sight to behold for kids and even grizzled businessmen alike," Clarke shared. "They might take off from our airport, but Wellington's quirky charm remains intact. The ever-so-golden dragon, Smaug, will continue to watch over the check-in counters."
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