Be a Systems Shifter.
Help Us Inspire Change.
Our mission is to shift systems—not just for today, but for the future we envision for the Southern Lakes region and beyond.
Shifting systems means going beyond quick fixes and addressing the deeper, structural challenges that impact our environment, economy, and community. It’s about creating lasting solutions that benefit everyone, not just for now, but for generations to come.
What Your Donations Will Achieve.
Every donation, no matter the size, moves us closer to achieving our district's strategic goals: waste minimisation, climate action, and food resilience. Here’s what your contributions will make possible in 2025 and beyond:
Empowering Youth - providing leadership and learning opportunities to our tamariki and rangatahi to thrive into the future.
Scaling Our Climate Action Initiative (CAI) – Delivering more workshops and youth programs to equip and inspire the next generation of climate leaders.
Mobilising the Southern Lakes Kai Collective – Strengthening food resilience across our region, so that our food system can withstand any shock that comes our way.
Expanding the Better Building Working Group (BBWG) – Hosting workshops and events that address critical construction industry issues, a sector central to our economy and environmental impact.
Launching Our Circular Economy Workstream – Establishing a Waste-Free Events Coordinator to lead the way in sustainable, low-impact events.
Read our Annual Report for information of our ongoing impact.
How You Can Contribute.
One-Time Donation
Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.Every donation fuels our mission, empowering us to inspire hope and mobilise our community to take meaningful actions toward a resilient future.
Monthly Giving
Join our community of monthly donors committed to creating lasting change. Your consistent support provides us with a stable foundation to plan and execute impactful projects.
How do we measure success? Impact.
Our success is measured by impact—through targeted action streams that drive real change in the sectors that matter most. Every donation you make helps us take purposeful steps toward a more sustainable future. You can see the impact of our existence in our latest annual report.
Why do we need you?
Since starting up in 2018, Wao has been helping communities to understand and navigate change. It's the "let's learn to surf together", rather than getting pummelled by the surf, that we do best. As the challenges become greater, the need for our expertise and resources grows. We need your help to deliver even more impact.
Donate today.
By committing to just $10 a month, you’re joining a community of systems shifters—a force for positive, lasting impact. Your generosity empowers us to keep pushing boundaries and striving for a world where the beauty of our planet is preserved for generations to come.
Thank you for being an integral part of our mission. Together, let’s build a future we can all be proud
