Latest News & Resources
Wao Podcast: Tim Jones on helping to transform businesses for the better.
You may have heard of B-corp businesses, or even investigated this for your business. That’s what this episode is all about. Tim Jones is working to guide businesses towards B Corp certification, a process that ensures companies balance profit with purpose.
Do We Have Our Eyes on the Ball? - Lessons in Collective Adaptation from the UN Adaptation Futures 2025 Conference
Monique Kelly reflects on the recent UN Adaptation Futures Conference held in Ōtautahi Christchurch, where global researchers, innovators, and community leaders gathered to share solutions for living well in a changing climate. Her reflections remind us that while the science is sobering.
Wao Podcast: From Royalty to the Southern Lakes.
Harry Lakin, Senior Mechanical Engineer at TMCo, previously managed engineering across Buckingham Palace and other royal estates. He shares insights on embodied carbon, long-term design, and lifting New Zealand’s building standards.
Your Climate Wake-Up Call: The Moment to Act Is Now
The window for action is closing fast but hope is far from lost. This year’s Wao Summit is bringing together some of Aotearoa’s brightest thinkers and boldest doers to ask one question that cuts through the noise: what will it take to truly wake up to the climate crisis and do something about it?
Wao Podcast: The three pillars to sustainable housing with Arthur Lee.
Arthur Lee is doing excellent work in the realm of sustainable housing, focusing on energy efficiency, the social impacts and affordability. His approach is not just about using renewable energy but reducing the energy demand altogether, which he believes is the best kind of energy saving.
Rewriting the Rules: Kate Meyer and the Planetary Accounting Network
As the planet pushes beyond its safe boundaries, New Zealander Kate Meyer is leading a movement to bring humanity back within them. Through the Planetary Accounting Network, she’s turning global science into practical tools that help businesses, designers, and communities measure and truly live within Earth’s limits.
Wao Podcast: High performance homes accessible to all with Matthew Cutler-Welsh.
If you’re contemplating building or renovating a home right now, this is a podcast episode for you.
Matthew Cutler-Welsh is a passionate advocate for sustainable building practices, working tirelessly to improve the health and efficiency of homes in New Zealand.
Wao Podcast: navigating New Zealand's food systems into the future with Jane Lloyd.
Jane Lloyd is a leading voice in food systems, bringing her expertise back to New Zealand to tackle pressing issues like food resilience and climate change. Her passion for creating sustainable solutions is evident as she advocates for a non-partisan approach to food system resilience, recognising its critical role in our economy and wellbeing.
Your Guide to Wao Summit in Queenstown
Wao Summit 2025 is bringing a week of inspiring events, workshops, tours, and kōrero to Queenstown. From landfill visits to breakfast sessions and walking tours, it’s your chance to connect with others, learn practical solutions, and see how our district is building a resilient future.
Partner Spotlight: Think Solar
At Wao, we believe better communities are built on connection, when locals open their doors, share their stories, and show what’s possible when we act together. That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with Think Solar as sponsor of our Community Walking Tours.
Partner Spotlight: Community Link
At Wao, we know that real change happens when communities come together and we’re incredibly grateful to have partners who embody that spirit. Community Link is one of those partners.
Food Demand in District Could Double – Even Triple – by 2050
Queenstown Lakes will need at least double - possibly triple - the food it consumes today by the mid-2050s, according to our new Food Resilience Report released this week.
Design and Build for Communities in 2125
In a time of rising material costs, shifting regulations, and a climate that is already changing, the way we design and construct buildings has never mattered more. Every choice shapes not only how our communities live, work, and thrive but also how our environment recovers and endures.
Building Businesses That Last to 2125
What does it take for a business to survive — and thrive — not just next quarter, but for the next century? That’s the question behind Wao Aotearoa’s Journey to 2125.
Wao Podcast: The important role of tech in driving change with Nick Baty.
Nick talks about the intersection of technology and sustainability. He highlights the importance of considering security in the development of new technologies and systems, ensuring they are not only functional but also protected from unwanted attacks and unintended consequences.
Shaping a Future Where Everyone Thrives
The opening night of the Wao Summit on 28th October is where our mission comes alive. Jpin us at Rippon Hall, surrounded by community, kai, and kōrero, as we gather to ask the essential question: what does a thriving Aotearoa look like in 2125 — and how do we start shaping it now?
Wao Film Night… More than just a sell out crowd.
What a night! Our latest Wao Film Night was a complete sell-out, not just one cinema, but two, with over 160 people filling the seats.
Wao Podcast: Jodie Jarvis on Climate Emotions... and Summit Speaker 2025
Jodie Jarvis is doing important work in the field of climate emotion. At the University of Otago, alongside her PhD supervisor, Dr. Susan Wardell, Jodie has been pioneering workshops that delve into the emotional responses to climate change.
First Timer’s Guide to the Wao Summit
Welcome to your first Wao Summit! Whether you’re here to explore sustainability, learn how to improve your business, or engage with community resilience, this guide will help you navigate key events and make the most of your experience. This blog is a day-by-day, class-by-class breakdown, highlighting must-attend sessions for first-time attendees
Wao Podcast: Giving people the opportunity to be in nature changes people.
Positive change through action with Sam the Trap Man. This interview highlights the power of individual and community action in driving positive environmental change.