In New Zealand, the appearance of a group of stars named Ngā mata o te ariki Tāwhirimātea (Matariki) in the winter night sky marks the traditional beginning of the Māori new year.

This year those stars are set to appear on July 14 and New Zealand’s Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is marking the beginning of the Māori new year by lighting up the terminal and the Airways New Zealand tower.

More cool amenities at Christchurch Airport

In addition to some great art inside and around the terminal, which travelers can discover on this handy art trail map, Christchurch Airport has outdoor ping pong tables on its plaza and themed jet bridges.

The Stuck at the Airport team hasn’t seen these themed jet bridges in person – yet – but we love the idea.

According to the airport, each themed jet bridge features floor to ceiling imagery of a special southern landscape, accompanied by the scene’s distinctive sounds and scents. Scents!!!

The themes are updated every so often with new sights, sounds and smells. But current themes include the Mackenzie Night Sky, West Coast, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman, Fiordland, a Canterbury sheep farm, Mackenzie country, Christchurch Adventure Park and a Marlborough vineyard.

Some of the other amenities we’re looking forward to exploring at Christchurch Airport include the coloring wall and the complimentary Mini Explorer Activity Books.

We’re also intrigued by ‘Spitfire Square,‘ which is a short walk from the airport terminal and home to a fitness center, a hair salon and a pharmacy.

Thanks for visiting Stuck at the Airport. Subscribe to get daily travel tidbits. And follow me on Twitter at @hbaskas and Instagram.