A huge statue of Gollum has been unveiled at Wellington Airport in New Zealand.

The sculpture of the Lord of the Rings character has been installed to celebrate the upcoming release of prequel film The Hobbit.

The giant Gollum is reaching out of a terminal wall in the airport attempting to catch an over-sized fish, and is 13 metres in size.

The sculpture is the design of Richard Taylor and Weta Workshop supervisors.

Airport CEO Steve Sanderson said: "Everyone will be amazed when they enter the terminal."

The city is hosting the premiere of the film on November 28, and is hosting a variety of events across the month to coincide with the release.

It will temporarily be renamed 'The Middle of Middle Earth'. Hobbit-inspired coins will be introduced as legal tender, with a procession to take place throughout the city.

Wellington residents will also be able to watch the premiere on big screens.