A collective movement for climate action, systems change and regeneration.
We accelerate systems change and climate action by activating clusters, bringing together people, groups, and organisations to drive transformative action.
27 - 31 October | Queenstown & Wānaka
Early bird tickets on sale now! Limited allocation.
Summit 2026
Wao News.
Upcoming events.
Our
Programmes.
Better Building
Better Business
Better Events
Better Transport
Better Communities
Food Resilience
Join our Six Part Better Building Training Series
This Is How We Build is a six-part programme of training modules (short films), webinars and events designed to accelerate better building practices and the circular economy across the Southern Lakes.
We encourage you to join the This Is How We Build movement.
When a pebble is dropped, a ripple is spread.
Wao delivers targeted, systems-focused programmes and events designed to inspire, educate, and enable communities to transition toward a regenerative, low-emission future. We convene changemakers, connect ideas, and create blueprints for action that can be adapted and scaled across Aotearoa.
Our work centres on partnership, collaboration, and the belief that thriving communities are inseparable from a thriving environment.
Growing food in the Southern Lakes is a shared effort. Sixteen growers, foragers, and food-lovers from SLKC and local food growers are pooling what actually works in our climate, so beginners can start with confidence.
For August, we're covering seed raising, potato varieties, and what to sow and plant out this month. We'll show you how to garden alongside Central Otago's rabbits, from plant choices to fencing, how to identify chickweed and what to do with it, and share two recipes: sauerkraut and yoghurt flatbreads.