We’ve got you covered. Wao Summit FAQs.
What is the Summit?
The Wao Summit is a week-long festival of workshops, kōrero, films, tours and community events in Wānaka and Queenstown, about creating tangible, long-term social and environmental change.
Whether you’re new here or have been on this ride for a while, you’re sure to find something that will inspire you into action.
Last year over 2,500 attendees joined us in taking a leap forward on a critical mission — a rapid and just transition to a safe climate future. Will you take part?
Who is the Summit for?
One of the core values of Wao is Whanaungatanga, which to us means leaving no one behind. With such a mix of events that appeal to all walks of life, our participants vary in age, gender, interests and backgrounds. Wao Summit is for school kids, young adults, parents, grandparents, and those in the building and construction, food & fibre, hospitality, tourism, business, non-profit and public sectors.
There is something for everyone no matter what stage of the climate journey they are on. So if it is your first time or you have been on this ride for a while, we are sure you will have plenty of "ah huh!" moments this year, and walk away inspired and ready for action. We have collated a First Timers Guide to Wao Summit which is a great place to start planning your summit week.
What is the aim of the Summit?
In a few years the effects of climate change will be irreversible. This countdown frames our critical mission — a rapid transition to a safe climate future. So what can you do? You can join us at Wao Summit. Where climate meets action. Where education enables change. Join us in accelerating climate action and the shift towards a regenerative future.
Working together to take climate and ecosystems action, build community resilience, and learn to do business better. on community action.
What are the types of events on offer?
We have a variety of events, for a variety of audiences. The easiest way to find your way around is to view the week’s programme.
Here’s a quick explanation of our types of events:
Evening Kōrero/Talk: Our Kõrero are the big conversations of the week. We invite you to come early or stay after the event to network and connect with your fellow Wao community. Locally made and sourced nibbles are included as well, doesn’t get much better than that?
Daytime lectures: Our daytime lectures bring together inspiring thinkers, practitioners and changemakers to share fresh ideas, practical insights and bold perspectives. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding or spark new conversations, you'll leave with new knowledge and inspiration to take action.
Workshops: Our workshops are engaging and sometimes interactive to give you the tools to take action as soon as you walk out the door. You do not have to be an expert to participate!
Tours: Our Tours are intentional opportunities to discover the work being done now. They all showcase action in play. Let them prompt you into action with the opportunity for conversations and discovery.
Films: Our films showcase some of the most inspiring, innovative and adventurous individuals taking action for climate. They have been hand picked by the team at Wao and are set to inspire action. When a pebble is dropped, a ripple is spread.
How to get to the events?
Where possible, please come on foot, by bike, by skateboard, carpool or public transport (in Queenstown)! We are all on a mission to reduce our carbon footprint and invite everyone to think about how they get around our towns and be part of the modal shift!
We prioritise local speakers and live-stream speakers where needed. Some of our awesome speakers choose to travel by bus/ferry/train to come to our events!
Can I view any of the events online?
This is a waste-free event... What does it mean?
At this stage we aren’t able to offer an online option — the event is in-person only.
We’d love to have you join us in person if you’re able. Otherwise, keep an eye on our newsletter and social channels, as we’ll share updates and highlights from the event.
At Wao, we constantly strive to avoid waste wherever possible.
We print a minimum of posters and programmes on eco paper with eco inks.
We make ink-friendly programmes for you to print… but encourage you to just keep a file on your phone to refer to instead.
Bring your keep cup for drinks served at our events and a water bottle to keep you hydrated (we’re happy to refill it for you!)
For catering we chose suppliers who have good sustainable practices and we reduce packaging to a minimum and recycle or compost where necessary.
Our drinks and food are served in/on glassware/crockery to avoid disposables.
Do you offer food or drinks at your events?
Most of our workshops include tea, coffee and a snack.
All our Evening Kōrero events include free nibbles in the pre-event mingling sessions. Drinks from B.Effect and Rippon Wines can be purchased on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening at Rippon.
Day-pass holders to our full day Te Taiao Day, BetterBusiness and BetterBuilding events will receive lunch catered by the Dripping Bowl. Food Resilience Tour participants will receive a packed lunch on the TSS Earnslaw.
We encourage you to bring your refillable water bottle to our events!
I’m an architect and I heard some of your events have NZIA CPD points?
We’re currently working with NZIA to confirm which Wao Summit 2026 events may be eligible for CPD points. We’ll update our online programme as soon as this is confirmed.
I’d love to volunteer at your events, is that possible?
Yes! We have a large crew of wonderful volunteers helping us at the Summit. Don’t hesitate to contact us even last minute, as we might have last minute cancellations. More information about volunteering for Wao in general here.
I’d love to come but can’t afford the ticket price!
We try to make our events as affordable as possible but understand that in some cases it is still too much. Please don’t let the price of our events deter you from joining and get in touch at kiaora@wao.co.nz to discuss what we can do.
Students get 50% off all tickets and passes and children under 18 get a free entry. We also have a few free events for all to enjoy - you’ll still need to register to some of these, so please keep that in mind and make sure you get your free ticket booked in advance.
Finally, if you volunteer for at least two of our Summit events you get free access to all our events - something to consider ;)
Do you offer any accessibility support at your events?
Yes, we do our very best to make our events accessible to all:
All our Summit venues are wheelchair accessible (if you’re interested in the Food Resilience Tour, please get in touch prior to booking).
If you consider yourself to have a disability or a long term health condition, and would like assistance, please let us know.
Just get in touch with us at kiaora@wao.co.nz