Climate festival launches programme
Wao Aotearoa's annual climate festival will feature more than 40 different events, workshops, films, pop-ups, and tours taking place throughout Wānaka, Queenstown and Glenorchy.
The full programme was released yesterday. The festival will be held from 24-29 October, drawing climate and sustainability experts from across Aotearoa and around the globe.
"This year we’re focusing on collective action," Wao General Manager Monique Kelly says.
"Coming together for a concentrated period each year provides us an anchor point, where we can align on 'where are we at now', and decide 'where we want to be heading together next'. When we come together we can drive collective action to generate greater change.”
The 2023 programme will focus on circular economy and living lightly, as well as partnerships and collaboration through a series of governance for purpose workshops and regenerative tourism hui.
Community resilience will also be spotlighted as well as playing host once again to the kōreros, the bigger conversations which ask “What will 2050 look like?” and how climate will impact supply chains in “This Climate Business”.
The programme includes comprehensive workshops, with full days focusing on regenerative tourism and better building, as well as targeted workshops on communication for change and the Right to Repair.
The six-day festival from the community non-profit, established six years ago, also celebrates the incredible mahi taking place in our community right now, with a series of tours and tiny talks featuring local sustainability experts and climate action heroes.
Arna Craig, Wao Communications director, says: "Wao Summit is here to encourage us to raise our overall ambition of what is possible, to amplify what is already going on, learn from one another and share ideas that can spark transformative change.
"No matter where you sit with regard to climate action and sustainability, the Wao Summit has something here for you. We encourage everyone to take a look at the program and come along!"
This year Wao summit has introduced a new Flexi Pass, which allows pass holders to pic and mix from the program of events.
For more information and to get tickets go to wao.co.nz/summit2023
Notable sessions include:
This Climate Business
What does the climate have to do with my business? How do I understand what I should be doing? How will climate goals and regulations impact how I operate? $35
Reducing Waste in the Building Sector
Whether it's from clients, the community, regulations or internal talks with the team, the pressure is coming on the construction industry to reduce its waste. If you work in the building sector, this session will provide you with the information you need to stay ahead of mandatory changes. $25
Living Lightly
Looking at how to live lightly but don't know where to start? Sick of all the plastics in your life? Changing household habits is a challenge? This session is for you. $25
Closing the Loop Tiny Talks
Join our local Zero Waste heros talking about what they are doing to reduce materials going to the tip. Amazing people doing some incredible mahi to close the loop tell their story. Hear from Cardrona, Wastebusters, Kiwiharvest, Wilding Co, Mainstream Green, ReCreate clothing & Naylor Love. $25
Communication for Change
In a world filled with information bites, how do you cut through the noise to get your message across? In this session, Nic Turner from Mainstream Green demystifies the basics of behaviour change and looks at how to incorporate these principles into event organisation and marketing. $25
The Right to Repair
Sick of having to replace stuff too soon when appliances break down, phones slow down or tiny parts fail and can’t be replaced? Consumer NZ Head of Testing Paul Smith gives us the lowdown on how long things really last, whether planned obsolescence is a real thing, and why the shift to repairability and durability is essential to the circular economy. $25
Wao co-founder Monique Kelly (left) at a previous Wao Summit event at Rippon
Talks at Hawea Camp
