Auckland Airport has unveiled a 3m Lego model to mark 60 years since opening on Thursday, January 29.

The model shows the original 1960s terminal and the future integrated terminal.

It is on display at the international terminal, level one.

Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui said: “Auckland Airport is a story of community, connection, and commerce.”

Auckland Airport says almost half a billion travellers, 458 million, have passed through since it opened on Thursday, January 29, 1966.

Auckland Airport 1966 Grand Air Pageant. Photo: Supplied

Traveller numbers rose from 700,000 in 1966 to 18.9 million in 2025.

Freight grew from 8,300 tonnes of domestic and international cargo in 1966 to more than 169,000 tonnes of international cargo in 2025.

For Hibiscus Coast residents travelling through Auckland Airport, the lego display is inside the international terminal and is now part of the airport’s public space.

Lego builder Jon-Paul Hansen. Photo: Supplied

The airport says its $5.7 billion, 10-year capital plan to 2032 is building an integrated domestic and international terminal, with an indoor walk between domestic jet services and international flights.

What’s next is continued construction.

The airport says about 1,500 construction workers are on site each day, peaking at 2,500, as work progresses on the new domestic jet terminal and other upgrades.

Watch the video: Auckland Airport history and the Lego build celebrating 60 years.

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