Wao Summit Event Programme
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Food Resilience Day - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
If you are passionate about Food Resilience, the WAO Summit 2024 is an unmissable event. This full day session brings together leading experts, innovators, and community leaders to explore what the next version of our food system could look like. You'll have the opportunity to learn about grassroots growing, regenerative agriculture practices, and innovative approaches to increasing food resilience. The facilitated session asks the big question - how we can create a national network to advance together towards a resilient, ecosystem focused food system.