Final stage of Auckland airport's redevelopment
The final stage of a $50 million two-year redevelopment of the Auckland International Airport departure area was launched today with the unveiling of the centrepiece structure, 'Pou Manawa', by Auckland mayor Len Brown, Associate Minister for Transport Nathan Guy and actor Temuera Morrison.
Pou Manawa, an impressive tree-like lighting structure, takes pride of place in the centre of a new retail space for the airport - which includes speciality shops available in the airport for the first time such as Mac cosmetics, Apple, Swatch watches and Adidas.
Auckland Airport chief executive Simon Moutter said the redevelopment started in 2008 with an upgrade of the landside food court, including the installation of skylights to open up the area, and continued with the change of location of the customs processing area, the creation of an improved duty free and retail space, and then finally the Pou Manawa structure.
The signing off of the plan for the redevelopment was one of the first tasks Moutter undertook as chief executive.
Morrison, whose cousin works at the airport, spoke of how this was not only Auckland's airport but also the gateway to much of New Zealand as 73 per cent of all international travellers to the country travel through the airport.
Brown, who sung a waiata, joked that the structure reminded him of a Star Trek ship and that Morrison would feel at home under the stars.
''This is our gateway not of course just to Auckland, but to the rest of our nation. Auckland is a destination - no longer just a gateway - and the airport is going to be a doorway to that destination.''
Brown said the redevelopment was particularly important with Auckland taking centre stage during the Rugby World Cup next year.
The structure is designed to be the centrepiece of the airport and an area where people can relax. It is nine metres high, reaching up to the ceiling of the terminal, and with a fabric canopy which covers a surface area of 577 sq m.
Traditional Maori designs by Kingi Gilbert are projected across the canvas to music by New Zealand artists Rewi Spraggon and Riki Bennett.
The continuously rotating 360 degree images depict carvings, birds and sea life and are supposed to symbolise flight, voyaging and movement across vast expanses.
The structure was designed by Ignite Architects in conjunction with artist Michael Knapp. Knapp said the project was the biggest he had worked on and the most unusual in that any material brought into the airport had to be taken through scanners.
Earlier in the day members of Tainui blessed the area.