Kiwi band SIX60 delivered personalised farewell messages over the international departures PA system and performed in the departures hall as part of Auckland Airport’s 60th anniversary
A 10-metre lyric art wall featuring “Don’t forget your roots”, painted by Auckland artist Jonny4Higher, unveiled outside the international terminal.
Travellers at Auckland Airport were treated to a surprise musical send off as iconic New Zealand band SIX60 serenaded them in the departures hall and took to the airport’s PA system to share heartfelt farewell messages.
SIX60 joined in to celebrate Auckland Airport’s 60th anniversary celebrations this week, playing the opening chords from their hit song “Don’t forget your roots” and creating a truly memorable send off for travellers at the country’s gateway airport.
Replacing the standard ‘bing bong’ chime on the airport’s PA announcements, SIX60 took to the airwaves to play to departing travellers, sharing personal farewell messages, including to travellers heading off to study abroad and on overseas experiences (OEs). One traveller and their family even got an acoustic live performance from the band, attracting the attention of all visitors in the departures hall.
Auckland Airport’s Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker said: “For 60 years Auckland Airport has grown alongside New Zealand, sending travellers off on once-in-a-lifetime adventures and sharing in countless goodbyes.
“We decided to team up with SIX60 to celebrate the special goodbyes that happen here every day, reminding New Zealanders, just like the band’s hit song, that no matter where their journeys take them, home is never far away, and their roots are always with them.”
SIX60 frontman, Matiu Walters, said Auckland Airport was a natural stage to share the message behind the band’s song.
“So many Kiwis’ international adventures start here at Auckland Airport, including our own as a band. Every time we leave for a tour, this is where it all starts and finishes.
“That’s why the country's gateway felt like a fitting place to share the message behind the song – a reminder for all of us to stay connected to where we come from, no matter where life takes us,” said Walters.
SIX60’s PA messages will continue to play in the international departures area for the next month.
Zane Mahon, who received the acoustic live performance, said: “It was a big moment for me leaving Auckland to head to Sydney for study, and it was a pretty emotional goodbye with my family. Having SIX60 show up and sing for us at the airport made it really special and is something I will never forget."
Lyric art wall
Alongside Six60’s PA announcements, Auckland Airport has also unveiled a large-scale art wall at the front entrance to the international terminal, spanning 10 metres by 2 metres, featuring the lyrics “Don’t Forget Your Roots".
Painted by Tāmaki Makaurau artist Jonny4Higher, the work offers a fitting parting message for the millions of travellers that will pass it this year.
Jonny said: “It’s an epic project to be a part of, and a fitting farewell to my fellow voyagers off on their adventures. I feel it’s going to spark a wonderful sense of Kiwi pride for travellers. I loved painting this and even hearing people passing by starting to sing the lyrics as they realised what it was."
Fly to any World Tour concert
The collaboration comes alongside SIX60’s fifth studio album, Right Here Right Now, which launched on Friday 13 February , and the announcement of the band’s first concert at One New Zealand Stadium already selling out.
SIX60 fans can also go in the draw at six60.co.nz to win two tickets to any live concert on the band’s next world tour, along with flights and accommodation to the value of $10,000 thanks to Auckland Airport.
AKL60
Almost half a billion travellers have passed through Auckland Airport since its opening in early 1966.
As part of the celebration to mark the airport’s diamond anniversary, a Lego model has also recently been unveiled on level 1 of the international terminal, depicting both the airport’s original 1960s terminal and its future integrated terminal development to open in 2029.
