The two stuffed birds, Kowhai and Tai, have been placed in a display in the centre of the carousel, a result of the airport's sponsorship of the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust.
Trust general manager Sue Murray said the birds had been housed at the Otago Museum, which provided the taxidermy required.
The museum also built the display.
Te Runanga o Otakou representative Hoani Langsbury, also a trustee of the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust, provided a blessing at the airport as the birds were put in place.
Mrs Murray said the idea was ``about showcasing an iconic wildlife species''.