Wao is a collective dedicated to a regenerative future.
Delivering climate action events and educational programmes that inspire, educate and enable communities to live in balance within a thriving, diverse ecosystem.
Autumn Harvest Festival 2025
Celebrate the fresh and foraged produce of the Upper Clutha with a season-long autumn festival for the whole community, featuring workshops, tours, and the annual Upper Clutha Apple Drive.
Showcase Weekend 14-16 March | Luggate Memorial Hall
When a pebble is dropped, a ripple is spread.
Wao is a community non-profit set up to educate, inspire and enable New Zealand communities to move towards a regenerative future. Our programmes and events are focused on mainstreaming sustainability and fostering diversity - not just in the Southern Lakes but across the entire country.
Wao News.
Better Building Southern Lakes
The Better Building Working Group was established after the 2018 Wao Summit. Composed of architects, builders, tradies, developers, suppliers and mental health experts, we have set our vision for 2050 and priority actions including better building, zero waste, and mental health and wellbeing.