A unique opportunity to get a tour of our region's only landfill! Hear from the landfill's operators what they're doing to reduce environmental impact and what the community can do better to help!

Equity at the Heart: Shaping a future for all as we look toward a thriving and regenerative future in 2125, one question sits at the core: how do we ensure that future is fair, inclusive, and just for everyone?

Unlock a full day of inspiring, actionable sessions exploring how business can be a powerful force for environmental and social regeneration. From the emerging world of biodiversity credits and place-based conservation in the mountains, to emotionally intelligent leadership and future-ready sustainability strategy, you'll gain insights and tools to lead with impact. Whether you're in business, tourism, finance, or governance, this is your invitation to build better—together.

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Cut through the noise. This interactive session unpacks what sustainability and ESG really mean in business—and how to turn them into tools for strategic advantage.

What if regenerating nature was also good for business? Discover how biodiversity credits are creating a bold new future where enterprise and ecosystems grow together. With Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and Ekos Kāmahi Ltd.

The challenges are real—but so is the opportunity. Join leading experts to explore how we can reignite momentum, embed long-term thinking, and centre climate action in every part of life.

Better Building Day at the Wao Summit is the South Island’s premier event for builders, architects, and industry professionals, showcasing the latest in sustainable construction and design.

As the state and markets retreat from covering climate risks, communities are left to shoulder the burden of resilience. This session explores how we can expand community commons, drawing on insights from the Critical Signals project to prepare for an era of rapid change and cascading disruptions.

How can your organisation take real, measurable steps toward climate accountability? In this practical and interactive workshop, Ekos Kāmahi will guide businesses through the process of understanding, measuring, and certifying carbon footprints. You’ll learn how to move beyond good intentions and into credible action, with tools and insights that make carbon reporting both accessible and meaningful.

As the state and markets retreat from covering climate risks, communities are left to shoulder the burden of resilience. This session explores how we can expand community commons, drawing on insights from the Critical Signals project to prepare for an era of rapid change and cascading disruptions.

Join us at the Queenstown Airport, Provenance Café for a free Better Builders Brekkie! We’ll hear from the Queenstown airport on some sustainability plans they have moving forward and from QLDC on what’s happening throughout the district in terms of reducing construction waste.

Hop on the Food Resilience Tour Bus for a full-day journey through three inspiring local initiatives strengthening food resilience in the Upper Clutha.

A thought-provoking panel exploring local to global strategies for food resilience, based on the Southern Lakes Kai Collective’s new roadmap for sustainable food futures.

Step into the future with this immersive walking tour exploring how local people and projects are shaping a thriving, equitable, and regenerative community, one step at a time.

This workshop is about taking a step back and understanding the causes and consequences of climate change. It brings people together through an interactive format that encourages people to creatively arrive at solutions to the climate crisis together.

Create a climate action zine using collage and creativity. Explore local issues, express your vision and leave inspired to spark change. All ages welcome.

Can we undo decades of damage by working with nature instead of against it? Discover how Environment Southland is reimagining floodplain management to restore balance, reduce risk, and protect precious waterways.

A double screening of two powerful climate films, followed by a kōrero with the filmmakers and lead participants, exploring action, regeneration, and connection in the face of crisis.

Showing documentaries ACTionism and Think Like a Forest.

Step into the future with this immersive walking tour exploring how local people and projects are shaping a thriving, equitable, and regenerative community in Queenstown.

Join WAO and 'Mr. G (Galeno Chua), Founder of the Idea Consultancy, for an interactive webinar where we introduce Optimise, the Business Sustainability AI Agent designed to help purpose-led businesses influence change from the inside out.