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SkyCity has confirmed that Helios, a large-scale artwork by British artist Luke Jerram, will be presented at the New Zealand International Convention Centre as part of its opening celebrations.
The installation marks the first time Helios has been shown in Aotearoa. Measuring six metres in diameter, the internally illuminated sculpture represents the sun and features detailed imagery created using astrophotography, NASA solar data and scientific consultation.
Presented at an approximate scale of 1:230 million, each centimetre of the artwork represents 2,300 kilometres of the Sun’s surface. At this scale, the Earth would be roughly the size of a tennis ball.
Luke, who is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, says the artwork offers the public a rare opportunity to view the Sun in close detail.
“Helios offers a chance to stand face-to-face with the sun and see its surface in extraordinary detail, from sunspots to the regions that triggered the Northern Lights visible from the UK in 2024,” he says. “Presented in public spaces, the work becomes both a sculpture and a shared venue for science, reflection and wellbeing.”
Helios will be displayed at the New Zealand International Convention Centre on Wednesday, February 12, 2026, as part of the venue’s opening celebration. It will then move to a free public season from Saturday, March 7 to Sunday, March 15, 2026, in the Concert Chamber at Auckland Town Hall.
The presentation forms part of the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival.
SkyCity chief executive Jason Walbridge says the installation aligns with the organisation’s commitment to hosting major cultural experiences.
“Welcoming Helios reflects our focus on bringing world-class cultural works to New Zealand,” Jason says. “It’s a special opportunity for people to encounter one of the world’s most ambitious public artworks as part of the NZICC opening.”
Auckland Live director Daniel Clarke says the installation will transform the Concert Chamber into a shared civic experience.
“Helios invites people to pause, look closer and experience a sense of awe and wairua,” Daniel says. “We’re proud to offer a free, publicly accessible season so people can experience the work up close, day and night.”
Helios follows Luke Jerram’s previous astronomical installations Museum of the Moon, Gaia and Mars, which have been presented internationally in museums, cathedrals and civic spaces.
Public access and booking information is available via Auckland Live.
