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. Here’s your guide to what’s happening in Queenstown, day by day.
Tuesday 28 October – Tour the Landfill
10:00am – Victoria Flats Landfill Site Visit
Start the week by exploring what happens to our waste at Victoria Flats. This behind-the-scenes look will challenge how you think about rubbish and inspire ideas for reducing and reusing in your own life.
Thursday 30 October – Learn & Discuss
2:00pm – Business Carbon Footprint & Certification Workshop (Ekos Kāmihi)
Discover how to measure, reduce, and certify your business’s carbon footprint in this practical workshop led by Ekos. Perfect for businesses ready to take action on climate.
6:00pm – Climate Action: Reading the Critical Signals
An evening kōrero unpacking the urgent signals from science and what they mean for our communities. A must-attend for anyone wanting to better understand the challenges—and opportunities—ahead.
Friday 31 October – Better Building Brekkie (FREE)
7:30am – Provenance Café, Queenstown Airport
Start your Friday with good kai, great coffee, and big ideas for better building. Hosted by Queenstown Airport and QLDC.
Your ticket includes free coffee and breakfast from the Provenance Café while we hear from two local leaders about the future of construction and sustainability in our district.
What to Expect / Key Takeaways:
Todd Grace, Queenstown Airport’s Head of Infrastructure Delivery – introducing the Airport’s new Sustainable Construction Guideline, plus insights into the significant capital works projects ahead.
Emma Brockie, QLDC Sustainability Advisor – sharing the district’s focus on preventing and reducing construction waste, and the actions outlined in the new Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2025–2031.
This is a unique opportunity to connect with others in the building sector, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and leave with fresh ideas about how we can reduce waste and build smarter.
Sunday 2 November – Free Walking Tour
10:00am – Self-Guided Community Walking Tour (FREE)
Wrap up your Queenstown summit experience by exploring local initiatives on foot. The walking tour showcases inspiring examples of energy, transport, biodiversity, and resilience projects that are shaping a stronger community. Free to attend so bring a friend and see what’s happening in your own backyard.
You are the Future
From tackling waste and carbon footprints to learning about better building and exploring community solutions, Wao Summit Queenstown has something for everyone. Some events are ticketed, and others like the Better Building Brekkie and Community Walking Tour are completely free.
Mark your calendar, explore the full summit programme, and join us in shaping a more resilient, connected future.