Wao Summit Event Programme
Wao Summit 2024 Opening Ceremony
Join us with the dawn chorus for an early morning opening to the Summit at Glendhu Bay.
Food Resilience Day - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
If you are passionate about Food Resilience, the WAO Summit 2024 is an unmissable event. This full day session brings together leading experts, innovators, and community leaders to explore what the next version of our food system could look like. You'll have the opportunity to learn about grassroots growing, regenerative agriculture practices, and innovative approaches to increasing food resilience. The facilitated session asks the big question - how we can create a national network to advance together towards a resilient, ecosystem focused food system.
From The Soil Up - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
Session 1 From the Soil Up: Celebrating our local food heroes—ranging from urban and community gardeners to regenerative dairy farmers. This session is focused on those building the soil.
Food resilience at the grassroots level: hear from two local initiatives, the Hawea Food Forest and Grow Wānaka.
Regenerative Agriculture - A Form Of Constructive Activism: Mark Anderson shares his journey realigning his Waiwera dairy farm to work alongside nature.
Food Models Redefined - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
Sesin Two: Speakers will discuss how they are exploring ways to create better food system.
Glendhu Worm Farm - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
Food Resilience in action: the Glendhu Worm Farm
Future Food Systems - Glendhu Bay, Wānaka
An update on the local Queenstown Lakes Food Resilience project, along with a forum to share, learn, and collaborate on food resilience efforts nationwide. This will be followed by a facilitated brainstorming session to explore how we can create a national network for a resilient, people-focused, and environmentally sustainable food system.
Better Business Day - Wānaka
The WAO Summit offers business owners a unique opportunity to revolutionise their approach to business by learning how to operate with greater purpose and sustainability. Attendees will explore cutting-edge sustainable practices that not only enhance profitability but also contribute positively to the environment and society.
How to Shift a System
From mindset to the nuts and bolts of doing, step through the process of how to drive transformative change through a systems lens.
Building Community Resilience - Queenstown
Learn from the Sustainable Hawke's Bay team about their experiences and actions following Cyclone Gabrielle. This workshop is a must-attend for everyone involved in Community Response Groups.
Cybersecurity in the Green Economy - Wānaka
Transitioning to a carbon-zero yet digitally insecure world: Join cybersecurity expert Nick Baty to learn how to manage cyber threats for a safer future.
Go B Corp for Good - Wānaka
The What, Why & How of B Corp. Tim Jones on leveraging the framework for better business practices.
Mastering Climate Action Priorities - Wānaka
Whether your business or organisation is just starting out on your emissions journey or looking to turbo boost your efforts, this masterclass with GHG experts EAS will help you prioritise action.
Let's Do Better Business - Green Drinks
Join us at Wilson and Dorst for a networking event and panel discussion to learn how businesses are driving towards a sustainable future.
Better Building Day - Luggate & Wānaka
Wao Summit offers a full day programme for building industry professionals that focuses on innovative approaches to sustainable construction and design. Attendees will gain insights into the latest developments and technologies for better building, network with leaders in the field, and learn how to integrate these practices into their projects, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future. The south island event for the building sector.
Building Community Resilience - Wānaka
Learn from the Sustainable Hawke's Bay team about their experiences and actions following Cyclone Gabrielle. This workshop is a must-attend for everyone involved in Community Response Groups.
Nature Walk with Sam the Trapman and David Norton
Experience a fully immersive guided tour of the natural world, offering in-depth insights through the eyes of expert guides Dr. David Norton and Hamiora Gibson. An event not to be missed.
Own Your Health
Dr. David Beaumont introduces a new healthcare model centered on empowering individuals as experts in their own health, fostering healing and addressing chronic conditions more effectively.
Go B Corp for Good - Queenstown
The What, Why & How of B Corp. Tim Jones on leveraging the framework for better business practices.
Feeling our way through crisis: a workshop on navigating ecological distress
Living through environmental crisis can lead to anxiety, grief, and despair. Jodie Jarvis and Dr Susan Wardell, from the University of Otago, lead a workshop acknowledging this, and discussing forms of self-care and community care in response.
Cybersecurity in the Green Economy - Queenstown
Transitioning to a carbon-zero yet digitally insecure world: Join cybersecurity expert Nick Baty to learn how to manage cyber threats for a safer future.
Climate Solutions Cafe
A facilitated community-organised space for people to have open conversations about the climate crisis, including how it makes us feel.
Better Building Day - Queenstown
Wao Summit offers a full day programme for building industry professionals that focuses on innovative approaches to sustainable construction and design. Attendees will gain insights into the latest developments and technologies for better building, network with leaders in the field, and learn how to integrate these practices into their projects, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future. The south island event for the building sector.
Nature Based Solutions
Join Dr. David Norton and Hamiora Gibson (better known as Sam the Trapman), for a kōrero on the vital role of nature-based solutions in enhancing landscape and ecosystem resilience.
Makarora Mohua Mahi
In 2023, volunteers protected mohua during a predator plague. Now, innovative acoustic mapping and community efforts aim to ensure long-term conservation amidst ongoing challenges.
Insights from Te Tapu o Tāne
Jana Davis, Pou Turaka (CEO) of Te Tapu o Tāne leads a kōrero on the organisation's work to strengthen community engagement and foster lasting relationships with the land. Te Tapu o Tāne, founded by Te Ao Māori and Mana Whenua, is a native nursery and climate action hub offering reforestation, landscaping, and project management services.
The State of Our Climate
Join Dr. Greg Bodeker for a kōrero on the intersection of growth limits and the climate crisis. He will explore the impacts of a neoliberal capitalist economy and discuss alternative pathways for systemic, sustainable change.
Mata-Au, the Mighty Clutha
Join Dr. David Norton and Hamiora Gibson (better known as Sam the Trapman), for a kōrero on the vital role of nature-based solutions in enhancing landscape and ecosystem resilience.
Guided tour of Namaste Park and Gardens
Explore 2.5 hectares on the outskirts of Wānaka, featuring regenerating land with a developing 600-tree arboretum, and extensive ornamental and edible gardens maintained in harmony with nature. This carbon-positive household boasts solar panels, locally sourced food, and electric equipment.
Festival of Nature
Join us for a vibrant celebration connecting everyone to nature through a diverse array of experiences. Enjoy the Symphony of Nature: live music and captivating storytelling, thought-provoking films, interactive workshops, and informative stands. Explore and engage with nature in a fun and immersive environment for all ages.
Building Better Builders' Breakfast - Wānaka
Join us for the Launch of the "This is How We Build" Campaign. Enjoy a coffee and food and listen to some of the local builders talk about their moves to reduce waste in the industry and lower their footprint.
This Climate Business
This session explores two key areas of the emissions challenge that businesses urgently need to get their head around - certification and finance.
Rethinking Economics - Queenstown
Look beyond GDP and explore what an economy where people and nature thrive looks like, and more importantly, what steps are needed to put this into action.
Regenerative Tourism Hui
This full-day session is an opportunity to learn about the Roadmap to Carbon Zero by 2030.
Opening Ceremony
Join us down at the Wānaka Lake Front for the opening Wao Summit for 2023!