Wao Summit Queenstown Events

Wao Summit 2025 is back, bringing New Zealand’s leading change makers, climate experts, bold ideas, and real-world solutions to Queenstown and Wānaka.

This week-long festival of kōrero, films, walking tours, practical workshops, and community events is designed to educate communities, ignite climate action, drive system change, and build a stronger, more resilient Aotearoa.

Grounded in the question what kind of ancestors do we want to be?, this year’s summit takes the long view, imagining how we live, lead, and thrive in 2125. The programme features some of New Zealand’s most renowned experts alongside grassroots leaders, indigenous voices, and international changemakers. From the opening Journey to 2125 panel to action-focused sessions on regenerative business, low-carbon building, food resilience, and nature-based systems, the summit empowers attendees to turn knowledge into action.

Queenstown Highlights

Better Building Breakfast
Queenstown Airport, Provenance Café
Friday 31 October, 7.30–8.30am | Free
Hear from Queenstown Airport and QLDC on sustainability initiatives and reducing construction waste.
https://www.wao.co.nz/wao-summit-event-programme-2025/better-building-banter

Business Carbon Footprint & Certification Workshop with Ekos Kāmahi
Salvation Army Corps, Queenstown
Thursday 30 October, 2:00pm-3:30pm | $25 or included in your Better Summit Pass or Better Business Pass.
Take real, measurable steps toward climate accountability. This interactive workshop with Ekos Kāmahi helps you understand, measure, and certify your carbon footprint with practical tools and clear actions.
https://www.wao.co.nz/wao-summit-event-programme-2025/business-carbon-footprint-certification-workshop-with-ekos-kmahi-queenstown

Climate Action: Reading the Critical Signals
Salvation Army Corps, Queenstown
Thursday 30 October, 6–8pm | $15 or included with Summit Pass
With Cathrine Dyer. Exploring systemic risks, lessons from Critical Signals, and community strategies for resilience.
https://www.wao.co.nz/wao-summit-event-programme-2025/climate-action-reading-the-critical-signals-queenstown

Arthur’s Point Community Walking Tour
Sunday 2 November, 10am–2pm | Free
A place-based experience blending storytelling, local knowledge, and hands-on interaction to reimagine community life in 2125.
https://www.wao.co.nz/wao-summit-event-programme-2025/community-walking-tour-qt