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
Wao Aotearoa launches Friday Bike Bus.
We have launched a new weekly Bike Bus in Albert Town as part of our wider Ride for Change programme — a six-month initiative designed to shift how students travel to school while reducing transport emissions across the Upper Clutha.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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 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: If you're going to solve the climate crisis, you have to bring everyone along.
Greg Bodeker is a climate scientist with over 130 papers published in atmospheric and climate science. Greg advocates for progressive policies that reduce inequality, ensuring that the least fortunate are not left behind in the fight against climate change.
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
Celebrate Nature: A Family Festival of Fun, Music, and Conservation
Picture this: the majestic views of Lake Hāwea, the crisp mountain air, and a vibrant festival atmosphere alive with music, laughter, and the hum of excitement. The Festival of Nature is not just an event, but an experience that brings together the community for a day of learning, creativity, and inspiration.
2050: Who Will We Be and How Will We Feed Ourselves?
Conversations around our changing future can be slanted with a negative bent these days, and the complexity of the issues can seem overwhelming. More climate-related disasters along with an increasing population can put stresses on food, energy and infrastructure. But Wao Aotearoa director Monique Kelly likes to bring an imaginative lens when it comes to envisioning what the future might look like.
Running a Waste-Free Wao Summit: Sustainable Practices in Action
Our waste-free and emissions-conscious approach to running Wao Summit is an example of how small, mindful changes can make a big impact. By thinking sustainably in everything from catering to decor, we hope to inspire others to take these practices into their own lives and businesses. Together, we can make a difference—one waste-free event at a time.