Wao Event Guide
Wao Event Guide
As well as our annual six-day 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!
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 is open to everybody so bring a friend, grab your tickets and let's dive into a topic.
Our 2024 Green Drinks programme will soon be added to our calendar. Sign up for our Newsletter (below) to be the first to find out about our events!
Wao Film Festival
9-12 May 2024
Wānaka Community Hub
Award winning films set to inspire deep connection with the natural world.
The Wao Film Festival is held across 4 days in May in Wānaka as well as online for a whole month after the in-person event.
Join us as we harness the power of film to inspire, educate, and enable action on climate change. Let's embark on a journey of transformation and create a world where environmental sustainability is not just a dream but a reality we all strive for.
Wao Summit
Next Summit 29 Oct - 3 Nov 2024
Six days of workshops, kōrero, films, tours and community events about creating tangible, long term social and environmental change. Held in Wānaka, Queenstown and Glenorchy.
Biketober
Next event: 1–31 Oct 2024
A month filled with bike-related events and activities across Wānaka, Queenstown and Arrowtown.
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 2023, the event was held in June in Wanaka.
Want to get involved, or have questions about an upcoming UN Youth Summit?
Wānaka Autumn Harvest Festival
March 2025
Wao has been honoring our local producers and seasonal harvest for four years. In 2024, we introduced our first two-day Harvest Festival, showcasing a Harvest Market, workshops on food growing, preserving, and cooking, along with the Harvest Long Lunch. Additionally, the renowned Apple Drive organized by the Local Food Wānaka group took place over the weekend. Stay informed about our 2025 events by signing up for our newsletter!
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.