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Wao Harvest Festival


  • Rippon Hall 246 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road Wānaka, Otago Region, 9305 New Zealand (map)

A weekend showcase of our region's food culture and community.

Join us for two full days celebrating local food, seasonal abundance, and the skills that nourish our community.

The Wao Harvest Weekend brings together growers, makers, educators and practitioners from across the region to share practical knowledge, hands-on experience, and stories rooted in land and season. From field to plate workshops, forest foraging, garden tours, potluck dinner and more, this is a weekend to deepen your connection to food and the people who produce it locally. On Saturday evening, gather for our Harvest Celebration Dinner featuring live music, a potluck feast and a lively ceilidh.

Click on event below to find out more, explore our programme, secure your tickets and be part of this joyful celebration of local food, community and the season.

Featured
From Field to Plate: Rabbit Preparation 101
Mar 14

Join local hunter Dan Orbell for a hands-on session on preparing rabbit meat. Learn ethical hunting basics, safety, and the step-by-step process of skinning, gutting, and breaking down rabbit for cooking.

Botanical walk with herbalist Loran Verpillot
Mar 14

Join herbalist Loran Verpillot for a guided botanical walk and explore the medicinal and edible properties of the plants along the path. Learn how to identify, harvest respectfully, and use them in practical ways.

Kitchen Alchemy with Del from Dishes with Del
Mar 14

Hands on workshop turning surplus produce into seasonal dishes, cooking together, learning simple techniques and making your own lacto fermented vegetables.

Food Growing & Regeneration Tour at Namaste Park
Mar 14

Explore Namaste Park with Florence Micoud, learning about food production, natural fertilisation and land regeneration. Includes orchard tips, veggie gardening, berry care and foraging insights.

Herbal Tea Making with Loran Verpillot
Mar 14

Hands-on workshop to learn how to make a tasty herbal tea with local herbs. We will also explore the medicinal properties of a range of herbs.

Homemade Wild Greens Pesto & Cold Flu Vinegar
Mar 14

Join Sarah Millwater for a hands-on 1.5-hour workshop where you’ll make your own healthy, low-cost wild pesto and a simple Cold & Flu Vinegar to stock your pantry.

The Harvest Table: Potluck & Ceilidh
Mar 14

Celebrate the harvest with your community at Rippon Hall on Saturday 14 March from 5.30pm! Enjoy live folk music from Devil’s Nook, a massive community potluck with 100 seats to share home-made seasonal dishes, and a lively ceilidh led by Maura Wilson - no experience needed. Family friendly, welcoming, and full of community spirit.

Guided Nature Walk: From Forest to Plate, with Sam the Trapman
Mar 15

Join Sam the Trap Man for a guided native forest walk exploring bush foods, ecology and bushcraft skills, with stories, hands on learning and small group connection.

Mastering Hot & Cold Smoking
Mar 15

Learn the art of smoking fish and meat with expert Allan Kelly and his daughter Monique Kelly. This hands-on workshop covers techniques, equipment, and pro tips to create mouth-watering smoked delights. Perfect for hunters, fishers, and food lovers!

Gluten Free Baking Done Well, with Tanja Schwindt
Mar 15

Join local baker Tanja Schwindt from Anything but the G Bakery for a 1.5-hour workshop making proper gluten free scones. Mix, shape, bake, and taste while learning what really happens when wheat disappears, how different flours behave, and the small tricks that make a big difference. Limited spots to keep it interactive and personal.

Guided Nature Walk: From Forest to Plate, with Sam the Trapman (Copy)
Mar 15

Join Sam the Trap Man for a guided native forest walk exploring bush foods, ecology and bushcraft skills, with stories, hands on learning and small group connection.

Plan your veggie garden with Ali Soper: The 4-Bed Rotation System
Mar 15

Build healthy, resilient soil and grow better vegetables. In this hands-on workshop, Ali Soper of Your Garden Coach NZ shares the practical 4 bed rotation system to boost soil health, strengthen crops and simplify seasonal planning.

Gain clear, confidence building steps to grow nutrient rich food and let your soil do the hard work.

From Garden to Jar: Seasonal Sweet and Savoury Preserves
Mar 15

Learn with Emma and Lucy practical techniques to make the most of seasonal produce, reduce food waste and capture the flavours of Central Otago. Perfect for beginners or anyone keen to refresh their preserving skills.

From Forest to Plate: Stories of Food and the Native Bush, with Sam the Trap Man
Mar 15

Join Sam the Trapman to uncover bush foods, edible species, sustainability, forest ecology and bushcraft skills, with stories from years in Aotearoa’s native bush. Fascinating for adults and kids alike – an event not to miss!

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