Wao Event Guide
Wao Event Guide
As well as our annual week-long Wao Summit, we organise a multitude of events aimed at spreading a ripple of action and awareness.
Scroll down to our event guide to find links to all of our upcoming events.
Event Guide
There are plenty of events on the horizon. Browse our event calendar to find the right one for you, or sign up to our newsletter to stay in the know about upcoming events and workshops.
Where possible, please come on foot, by bike, by skateboard or carpool!
Wao Film Nights
After two successful film festivals in 2023 and 2024, Wao is continuing to use the power of film to reshape our understanding of environmental sustainability and spark meaningful action with Wao Film Nights. Throughout the year, we host curated film nights at Cinema Paradiso—sometimes featuring just a film, and other times, pairing it with insights from expert speakers. You're guaranteed to leave inspired and ready to make a difference!
Wānaka Autumn Harvest Festival
March 2025
Join us for this year’s Autumn Harvest Festival, taking place March 14 to 16 at the Luggate Hall.
Weekend highlights include the Autumn Apple Drive (By Local Food Wanaka) and Foodie Workshops – Discover how to grow, harvest, prepare, and preserve your own food. Don’t miss out, book your tickets ASAP.
Better Building Banter
In 2024, Wao started hosting BBBanter, a series of events dedicated to the construction sector.
Whether you’re a builder, an architect, or plan to build a house, these events are for you. Find out about building & sustainability and meet other members of this dynamic community.
Open to all, just book your tickets and be part of the change!
Green Drinks
Wao hosts Green Drinks throughout the year. They are an opportunity for the community to connect with both important sustainability topics and also each other.
Green Drinks are open to everybody so bring a friend, grab your tickets and let's dive into a topic.
The details of each Green Drinks is announced a few weeks prior to each event - sign up for our Newsletter (below) to be the first to find out about all our events!
Wao Summit
The Summit is our annual flagship event, the biggest week of Climate Action in New Zealand.
Last year at the WAO Summit 2024 we’ve seen phenomenal uptake in our expertise to educate, enable, and inspire businesses and communities to take action for the climate. A heartfelt thanks to all our attendees, speakers, volunteers, funders and partners for your incredible support.
The 2025 Summit will be held 28 Oct - 2 Nov 2025 in Wānaka and Queenstown.
UN Youth Summit
The UN Youth Summit brings together students from throughout Central Otago and the Southern Lakes Districts. Run in partnership with UN Youth Otago, the forum provides leadership opportunities and partnership skills for high school students.
In 2024, the event was held in June in Wanaka.
Want to get involved, or have questions about an upcoming UN Youth Summit?
Volunteer at Wao
Become part of a community fuelled by passion and led by purpose. Register to join our group of passionate volunteers that run events year round.