Join Better Building Southern Lakes for our first Banter session of the year. Taking place at the Architecture + Design Library (AD Library) where you will hear from a panel of experts covering the importance of sustainable materials in a build.

Shana Payne of Designgroup Stapleton Elliott (DGSE) will cover circular economy flows and positive ways of sustainable implementations and examples. We'll then hear from Managing Director and Founder of LMA Timber, Martin Thompson, on real life locally available examples of positive sustainable material choices in building. Hamish McPhail of Salmond Architecture will finish off by comparing different build designs showing the benefit of using sustainable materials.

After the presentations, we'll hear an open discussion between our panelists before opening up the floor for Q&A.

Don't forget that our Banter sessions are for positive networking as well! Doors open at 5pm for half an hour of connecting with industry and community and another half hour at the end for everyone to come together and discuss the event with those in the room. 

Beverages & nibbles provided.

Thanks to AD Library for sponsoring and hosting this event and QLDC's Zero Waste District Programme for its support.

This event is part of the broader Building in Change series happening across the Otago region during the same week. They aim to address sustainable building practices and construction and demolition waste in collaboration with Otago’s District Councils.

JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST & COFFEE to learn about innovative sustainable building practices.

Hosted by the team at LMA Timber on Anderson Road, Wānaka. Take part in this morning session and be in for a chance to win a special LMA Timber prize. Coffee and breakfast is included in your entry fee.

Thanks to LMA Timber for hosting this event and QLDC's Zero Waste District Programme for its support.

Don’t forget to bring your own coffee cup and your mates!

Entry $5 online or at the door.

This event is part of the broader Building in Change series happening across the Otago region during the same week. They aim to address sustainable building practices and construction and demolition waste in collaboration with Otago’s District Councils.

WILDING

“Let nature lead the way."

A true story of rewilding, resilience, and hope brought to you by Wao Aotearoa.

From the producers of The Serengeti Rules comes a breathtaking journey into the untapped power of nature. Based on Isabella Tree's best-selling book, WILDING follows a young couple's daring quest to rewild their 400-year-old estate. Witness nature's incredible resilience as animals, landscapes, and biodiversity thrive once again. A story of hope and transformation, this is a must-watch for conservationists and dreamers alike.

Directed by Emmy Award-winning David Allen.

Featuring a stunning score by Grammy-nominated Jon Hopkins.

Be inspired by nature, knowledge, and action. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind evening!

Special Guest Speaker: Enjoy an engaging conversation with Simon Millar, Executive Director (Kaiwhakahaere Matua) of Pure Advantage. A passionate advocate for large-scale ecological restoration in Aotearoa. With extensive experience in environmental leadership, Simon plays a key role in Recloaking Papatūānuku, an ambitious initiative to restore 2 million hectares of native forest and wetlands.

Join us for our first Wao Film Night of the year: a Talk & Screen on the theme of migration on Sep 17 at Cinema Paradiso.

BETTER BUILDING PRESENTS: ANDREW EAGLES

BUY TICKETS HERE

When: 16 July @ 5pm

Where: Canyon Brewing, Queenstown @ 1 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 9371

What: CEO of the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) Andrew Eagles is coming to Queenstown!

Recently, the Queenstown Lakes District Council launched its climate action plan including the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44% by 2030.

Across Aotearoa New Zealand, the built environment contributes 20% of our emissions.

So, how do the two relate and what action can the property and construction sector take.

Specifically, we’ll cover:

• steps being taken by the construction and property sector to

• reduce emissions

• lower waste to landfill and

• improve resilience to flooding and overheating

• upcoming changes to the construction of commercial buildings

• energy efficiency assessments of office buildings

• the introduction of climate related financial disclosures

• financial incentives offered by banks to those building to independent certification standards.

There will be a presentation from Andrew and then a panel discussion with others leading on this agenda.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you Canyon Brewing for hosting! Food and drinks available for purchase.

Tickets $5 (+ booking fees from Humanitix)

BUY TICKETS HERE

BETTER BUILDING PRESENTS: ANDREW EAGLES

BUY TICKETS HERE

When: 11 July @ 5pm

Where: Ground Up Brewing @ 4 Gordon Road, Wānaka 9305

What: CEO of the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) Andrew Eagles is coming to Wānaka!

Recently, the Queenstown Lakes District Council launched its climate action plan including the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44% by 2030.

Across Aotearoa New Zealand, the built environment contributes 20% of our emissions.

So, how do the two relate and what action can the property and construction sector take.

Specifically, we’ll cover:

• steps being taken by the construction and property sector to

• reduce emissions

• lower waste to landfill and

• improve resilience to flooding and overheating

• upcoming changes to the construction of commercial buildings

• energy efficiency assessments of office buildings

• the introduction of climate related financial disclosures

• financial incentives offered by banks to those building to independent certification standards.

There will be a presentation from Andrew and then a panel discussion with others leading on this agenda.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you Ground Up Brewing for hosting! Food and drinks available for purchase.

Tickets $5 (+ booking fees from Humanitix)

BUY TICKETS HERE

FRAME AND FOSTER - Session #1

When: June 26th @ 5pm

Where: Dunlop Builders, Wanaka @ 13 Venture Crescent, Wānaka 9305

What: James Griffin: General Manager at Sustainable Business Network will be presenting virtually. James leads SBN’s work to accelerate the circular economy in New Zealand and will be sharing the work in the building sector around integrated design, product stewardship and associated reverse logistics.

Nibbles, refreshments and a short presentation from Dunlop Builders beforehand. 

Join us at "Frame and Foster," where we focus on advancing the circular economy within the New Zealand building industry.

Run by the Wao Better Building Group, Frame and Foster events bring together forward-thinking professionals passionate about creating sustainable and resilient building practices.

Whether you are an architect, engineer, contractor, or developer, "Frame and Foster" is the perfect platform to share your insights, learn from others, and build connections that will drive positive change in our industry. Join the conversation, be inspired, and contribute to a collective effort to redefine the way we build.

Come and be a part of "Frame and Foster," where together, we can build a sustainable future for New Zealand.

Tickets $5 (+ booking fees from Humanitix)

BUY TICKETS HERE

Join us for another Wao Green Drinks. This Green Drinks topic will be Civics 101: Your Voice

The event will be held at The Albie Tavern* located at 20 Alison Ave, Albert Town between 5:00-7pm.

Speakers will include:

Cody Tucker - Queenstown-Lakes District councillor

Ethan Reille - An 18 year old national level political candidate running in the upcoming elections.

Kathy Dedo - Professional director, community champion, and civics enthusiast. Kathy is the Deputy Chair of the Central Lakes Trust and former Co-Manager of Community Networks/LINK.

Join us to learn about the basics of the New Zealand political system, how you can get involved and how to vote in the upcoming elections.

Who is this for:

• Anyone who has never voted and would like to find out more.

• Anyone who might need a refresher on what our voting system is.

• Anyone new to New Zealand who would like to understand how our voting system works. 

We will also launch the much anticipated Wao Summit 2023 program - an occasion to celebrate together!

Free event, but limited space. Please book your free ticket using the button below.

*Note that the venue has changed. We are no longer hosting the event at Federal Diner.

Come down to the Dinosaur Park to visit Wao at the Kahu Youth Matariki, the Māori New Year!

This year’s celebration is a great whānau event and is sure to warm a cold winter’s night! Spectators will be able to enjoy whakangahau (performances), hangi and fun, free activities that represent Te Kāhui o Matariki (star cluster). More info visit kahuyouth.org/kahu-youth-events/

Wao is also hosting a morning lakefront beach cleanup from 10:30am. Meet us there at the Dinosaur Park with weather appropriate clothing and gloves if you have them!

Join us for another Wao Green Drinks hosted by Wānaka’s very own Ground Up Brewing. This Green Drinks topic will be: Green Energy

Where: Ground Up Brewing @ 4 Gordon Rd, Wānaka

When: June 30th @ 5:00pm

What: We'll be exploring how non-fossil fuel energy can be found in different sources, industries or uses and how we can use them and why we should use them. Following three short presentations Ground Up Brewing will be putting on a related pub quiz with the chance to win some prizes!

Who: We'll have speakers from H.W.Richardsons, New Zealand's largest transport company, that has introduced the first hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel truck in the Southern Hemisphere as well as representatives from Wanaka Solar talking about solar energy. Forest Lodge Orchard, "the world's first 100% electric, zero fossil fuel orchard", based just out of Cromwell will also provide a remote presentation.