Wellington Airport’s brand refresh introduced ‘Rangitatau’ as a central concept, positioning the airport as a portal to central New Zealand. To celebrate the journey airport staff took in the brands development, WLG asked us to create a way for them to physically encounter Rangitatau everyday.

The idea was to create an art installation consisting of three large-scale sculptural portals placed outside the corporate office. Each one draws from a realm within te taiao — sea, land, and sky. They are grounded in place, speak to sustainability and to the idea that stories upon the whenua are ongoing. Together they present a beautiful expression of where airport staff have been and their shared ambition for the future.

Each portal was designed in collaboration with artist Manukorihi Winiata (Ngāti Raukawa, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa). Material finishes, lighting, and form were carefully considered, drawing inspiration from the digital carvings created for the brands origin story.

Bevelled edges to the patterns were a nod to traditional carving where the creative process began. The portals glow and oscillate through colour and brightness to reinforce their presence as both spiritual and environmental markers. All culminating to an installation that draws you in with its mauri, movement, and symbolism.