Latest News & Resources
Critical Materials and Why They Matter
At every step, fossil fuel is embedded in our industrial system. It is both a critical material in itself (think plastics and fertiliser) as well as an enabler for other critical materials. From the diggers getting the raw materials out of the ground, to the ships and trucks used to transport it to get refined, almost everything we touch has been shaped by oil.
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.
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.