Latest News & Resources
Wao Green Drinks Recorded Session: Resilience Response with Nathan Surendran
Recorded Session: Global instability is no longer a distant threat, it’s already reshaping life here in Aotearoa. In this recorded Wao Green Drinks session, Nathan Surendran breaks down what’s coming and, more importantly, how communities like ours can respond with clarity, confidence, and practical action.
Understanding the Energy System We Built Our World On, and What Comes Next.
We’ve built our modern world on something we rarely stop to think about - energy. Cheap, abundant, and reliable energy has shaped how we live, move, build, and grow. But the conditions that created that world are changing.
Fuel, Food, Climate and the Fragility of Our System
Fuel, food, and climate are colliding in ways that are exposing just how fragile our current system is. This piece breaks down what’s happening, why it matters for Aotearoa New Zealand, and, most importantly, what we can do to build resilience in the face of growing uncertainty.
Wānaka organisations unite to strengthen community resilience amid global uncertainty.
A cross-sector group of community leaders, businesses, and local government representatives gathered at the Wānaka Community Hub last week to discuss how global instability
Local Youth at the Heart of Wao’s Bold 2026 Climate Strategy
Wao is doubling down on its intergenerational mission by expanding research into what resilient communities could look like 100 years from now.
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.
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.
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?
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
First Timer’s Guide to the Wao Summit 2024
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
Level Up Your Business: Embrace Sustainability and Security at the Queenstown Sessions
The upcoming Queenstown sessions at the Wao Summit offer two dynamic opportunities for businesses to enhance their operations and align with purpose-driven and secure practices.
Purpose-driven business, the new normal, get used to it.
Purpose-driven business is not merely about corporate social responsibility or ticking boxes to appease a concerned public. It's about fundamentally rethinking how businesses operate, creating value that extends beyond shareholders to encompass the wider community and environment. This shift isn't optional; it's essential for long-term success.