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.
