Wellington Airport has officially unveiled its latest terminal centrepiece, Manu Muramura - an illuminated sculpture representing the local bird spirit, created by the award-winning Wētā Workshop.

The new sculpture was revealed on Friday morning during a ceremony that included a powerful kapa haka performance.

The artwork was designed to honour the pūrākau (traditional story) of taniwha Ngake and Whātaitai from Te Whanganui-a-Tara, with Whātaitai’s spirit said to have ascended in the form of a bird after becoming trapped in the harbour.

It features a 15m long fibreglass body and wings with steel armature, polycarbonate feathers, and a 3D-printed head complete with internal lighting.