Wao Summit Event Programme

Victoria Flats Landfill Site Visit
A unique opportunity to get a tour of our region's only landfill! Hear from the landfill's operators what they're doing to reduce environmental impact and what the community can do better to help!

Journey to 2125
Equity at the Heart: Shaping a future for all as we look toward a thriving and regenerative future in 2125, one question sits at the core: how do we ensure that future is fair, inclusive, and just for everyone?

Better Business Day
Unlock a full day of inspiring, actionable sessions exploring how business can be a powerful force for environmental and social regeneration. From the emerging world of biodiversity credits and place-based conservation in the mountains, to emotionally intelligent leadership and future-ready sustainability strategy, you'll gain insights and tools to lead with impact. Whether you're in business, tourism, finance, or governance, this is your invitation to build better—together.




Making Sense of Sustainability
Cut through the noise. This interactive session unpacks what sustainability and ESG really mean in business—and how to turn them into tools for strategic advantage.

Understanding Biodiversity Credits with Ekos Kāmahi
What if regenerating nature was also good for business? Discover how biodiversity credits are creating a bold new future where enterprise and ecosystems grow together. With Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and Ekos Kāmahi Ltd.

Your Climate Wake-Up Call
The challenges are real—but so is the opportunity. Join leading experts to explore how we can reignite momentum, embed long-term thinking, and centre climate action in every part of life.

Better Building Day
Better Building Day at the Wao Summit is the South Island’s premier event for builders, architects, and industry professionals, showcasing the latest in sustainable construction and design.

Climate Action - Reading the Critical Signals, Wānaka
As the state and markets retreat from covering climate risks, communities are left to shoulder the burden of resilience. This session explores how we can expand community commons, drawing on insights from the Critical Signals project to prepare for an era of rapid change and cascading disruptions.

Business Carbon Footprint & Certification Workshop with Ekos Kāmahi - Queenstown
How can your organisation take real, measurable steps toward climate accountability? In this practical and interactive workshop, Ekos Kāmahi will guide businesses through the process of understanding, measuring, and certifying carbon footprints. You’ll learn how to move beyond good intentions and into credible action, with tools and insights that make carbon reporting both accessible and meaningful.

Climate Action - Reading the Critical Signals, Queenstown
As the state and markets retreat from covering climate risks, communities are left to shoulder the burden of resilience. This session explores how we can expand community commons, drawing on insights from the Critical Signals project to prepare for an era of rapid change and cascading disruptions.

Better Building Brekkie
Join us at the Queenstown Airport, Provenance Café for a free Better Builders Brekkie! We’ll hear from the Queenstown airport on some sustainability plans they have moving forward and from QLDC on what’s happening throughout the district in terms of reducing construction waste.

Food Resilience Day
Hop on the Food Resilience Tour Bus for a full-day journey through three inspiring local initiatives strengthening food resilience in the Upper Clutha.

Feeding the Future
A thought-provoking panel exploring local to global strategies for food resilience, based on the Southern Lakes Kai Collective’s new roadmap for sustainable food futures.

Better Communities Weekend
Explore what it means to create regenerative, connected, and resilient communities. This day features a self-guided walking tour, a hands-on climate workshop, a session on working with nature to manage water and reduce risk, among others. Wrap up the day with an inspiring community film night on regeneration and action. A powerful day for anyone who cares about the future we’re building, together.

Community Walking Tour, Wānaka
Step into the future with this immersive walking tour exploring how local people and projects are shaping a thriving, equitable, and regenerative community, one step at a time.

Climate Club’s Ripple Workshop: Understanding Climate & Imagining Our Future
This workshop is about taking a step back and understanding the causes and consequences of climate change. It brings people together through an interactive format that encourages people to creatively arrive at solutions to the climate crisis together.

Zine for Change: Crafting Climate Action
Create a climate action zine using collage and creativity. Explore local issues, express your vision and leave inspired to spark change. All ages welcome.

Slow the Flow - A Floodplain for the Future
Can we undo decades of damage by working with nature instead of against it? Discover how Environment Southland is reimagining floodplain management to restore balance, reduce risk, and protect precious waterways.

Film Night: ACTionism & Think Like A Forest
A double screening of two powerful climate films, followed by a kōrero with the filmmakers and lead participants, exploring action, regeneration, and connection in the face of crisis.
Showing documentaries ACTionism and Think Like a Forest.

Community Walking Tour, Queenstown
Step into the future with this immersive walking tour exploring how local people and projects are shaping a thriving, equitable, and regenerative community in Queenstown.

Optimise, The Business Sustainability AI Agent MVP Webinar
Join WAO and 'Mr. G (Galeno Chua), Founder of the Idea Consultancy, for an interactive webinar where we introduce Optimise, the Business Sustainability AI Agent designed to help purpose-led businesses influence change from the inside out.

Festival of Nature
Join us for a vibrant celebration connecting everyone to nature through a diverse array of experiences. Enjoy the Symphony of Nature: live music and captivating storytelling, thought-provoking films, interactive workshops, and informative stands. Explore and engage with nature in a fun and immersive environment for all ages.

Guided tour of Namaste Park and Gardens
Explore 2.5 hectares on the outskirts of Wānaka, featuring regenerating land with a developing 600-tree arboretum, and extensive ornamental and edible gardens maintained in harmony with nature. This carbon-positive household boasts solar panels, locally sourced food, and electric equipment.

Sustainable Periods
Join Sofia and Charlotte for a hands-on workshop exploring eco-friendly menstrual practices, sustainable period products, and the holistic 'Inner Seasons' approach to menstrual cycles. Learn to reduce waste, manage energy, and improve wellbeing for yourself and the planet.

Mata-Au, the Mighty Clutha
Join Dr. David Norton and Hamiora Gibson (better known as Sam the Trapman), for a kōrero on the vital role of nature-based solutions in enhancing landscape and ecosystem resilience.

The State of Our Climate
Join Dr. Greg Bodeker for a kōrero on the intersection of growth limits and the climate crisis. He will explore the impacts of a neoliberal capitalist economy and discuss alternative pathways for systemic, sustainable change.

Insights from Te Tapu o Tāne
Jana Davis, Pou Turaka (CEO) of Te Tapu o Tāne leads a kōrero on the organisation's work to strengthen community engagement and foster lasting relationships with the land. Te Tapu o Tāne, founded by Te Ao Māori and Mana Whenua, is a native nursery and climate action hub offering reforestation, landscaping, and project management services.

Makarora Mohua Mahi
In 2023, volunteers protected mohua during a predator plague. Now, innovative acoustic mapping and community efforts aim to ensure long-term conservation amidst ongoing challenges.

Nature Based Solutions
Join Dr. David Norton and Hamiora Gibson (better known as Sam the Trapman), for a kōrero on the vital role of nature-based solutions in enhancing landscape and ecosystem resilience.

Better Building Day - Queenstown
Wao Summit offers a full day programme for building industry professionals that focuses on innovative approaches to sustainable construction and design. Attendees will gain insights into the latest developments and technologies for better building, network with leaders in the field, and learn how to integrate these practices into their projects, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future. The south island event for the building sector.

Climate Solutions Cafe
A facilitated community-organised space for people to have open conversations about the climate crisis, including how it makes us feel.

Cybersecurity in the Green Economy - Queenstown
Transitioning to a carbon-zero yet digitally insecure world: Join cybersecurity expert Nick Baty to learn how to manage cyber threats for a safer future.

Feeling our way through crisis: a workshop on navigating ecological distress
Living through environmental crisis can lead to anxiety, grief, and despair. Jodie Jarvis and Dr Susan Wardell, from the University of Otago, lead a workshop acknowledging this, and discussing forms of self-care and community care in response.

Go B Corp for Good - Queenstown
The What, Why & How of B Corp. Tim Jones on leveraging the framework for better business practices.

Own Your Health
Dr. David Beaumont introduces a new healthcare model centered on empowering individuals as experts in their own health, fostering healing and addressing chronic conditions more effectively.

Nature Walk with Sam the Trapman and David Norton
Experience a fully immersive guided tour of the natural world, offering in-depth insights through the eyes of expert guides Dr. David Norton and Hamiora Gibson. An event not to be missed.

Building Community Resilience - Wānaka
Learn from the Sustainable Hawke's Bay team about their experiences and actions following Cyclone Gabrielle. This workshop is a must-attend for everyone involved in Community Response Groups.

Better Building Day - Luggate & Wānaka
Wao Summit offers a full day programme for building industry professionals that focuses on innovative approaches to sustainable construction and design. Attendees will gain insights into the latest developments and technologies for better building, network with leaders in the field, and learn how to integrate these practices into their projects, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future. The south island event for the building sector.

Let's Do Better Business - Green Drinks
Join us at Wilson and Dorst for a networking event and panel discussion to learn how businesses are driving towards a sustainable future.

Mastering Climate Action Priorities - Wānaka
Whether your business or organisation is just starting out on your emissions journey or looking to turbo boost your efforts, this masterclass with GHG experts EAS will help you prioritise action.

Go B Corp for Good - Wānaka
The What, Why & How of B Corp. Tim Jones on leveraging the framework for better business practices.

Cybersecurity in the Green Economy - Wānaka
Transitioning to a carbon-zero yet digitally insecure world: Join cybersecurity expert Nick Baty to learn how to manage cyber threats for a safer future.

Building Community Resilience - Queenstown
Learn from the Sustainable Hawke's Bay team about their experiences and actions following Cyclone Gabrielle. This workshop is a must-attend for everyone involved in Community Response Groups.

How to Shift a System
From mindset to the nuts and bolts of doing, step through the process of how to drive transformative change through a systems lens.

Better Business Day - Wānaka
The WAO Summit offers business owners a unique opportunity to revolutionise their approach to business by learning how to operate with greater purpose and sustainability. Attendees will explore cutting-edge sustainable practices that not only enhance profitability but also contribute positively to the environment and society.



Future Food Systems - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
An update on the local Queenstown Lakes Food Resilience project, along with a forum to share, learn, and collaborate on food resilience efforts nationwide. This will be followed by a facilitated brainstorming session to explore how we can create a national network for a resilient, people-focused, and environmentally sustainable food system.

Glendhu Worm Farm - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
Food Resilience in action: the Glendhu Worm Farm

Food Models Redefined - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
Sesin Two: Speakers will discuss how they are exploring ways to create better food system.

From The Soil Up - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
Session 1 From the Soil Up: Celebrating our local food heroes—ranging from urban and community gardeners to regenerative dairy farmers. This session is focused on those building the soil.
Food resilience at the grassroots level: hear from two local initiatives, the Hawea Food Forest and Grow Wānaka.
Regenerative Agriculture - A Form Of Constructive Activism: Mark Anderson shares his journey realigning his Waiwera dairy farm to work alongside nature.