Wao

About

We are living in a decade of massive change spurred on by the reality of climate change, a shift in economic paradigms and measures taken to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. This is going to bring many challenges and but also opportunities.

To adapt to the new economic and environmental reality, we will have the change the way that we govern, work and behave. With this in mind, WAO was set up to help communities through this transition period. We look to inspire, educate and enable communities to look towards the opportunities created by this transition and help to shape a future that looks towards not just a sustainable future, but one where we give back more than we take.

Our Mission

• To increase the speed at which communities can become Carbon Zero 21st Century communities.
• To mainstream sustainability to foster thriving, diverse & interconnected environments, communities and businesses.
• To advocate and raise awareness of climate justice, bio-sphere & environmental rights.
• To increase community cohesion through establishment of partnership and collaboration networks.

Our Impact Areas

ONE Summit & Events

Each year we hold a Summit in Wānaka which focuses on sector-driven change. This is held over a week at the end of October and includes talks, workshops, tours and community events. It is an all-inclusive event aimed to inspire, educate and enable all people towards a sustainable, regenerative future.

Other events are held throughout the year, such as the annual Autumn Harvest Festival which is a celebration of local food and avoiding food waste. Reset Conversations are aimed at engaging the community throughout the year, with 2020 focusing on Participative Democracy.

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Action Groups

Wao support a number of Action Groups. The Better Building Group is focused on moving the construction/building industry towards lower waste, cleaner building, while the Eco Hospitality industry are inciting throwaway container behaviour change with their Single Use Cup Free campaign. Generation Wao supports the youth side of Wao, with events throughout the year targeted around issues such as mental health and community engagement.

Wao have a number of projects underway and on the horizon, such as a carbon emissions reduction program with schools and businesses.

How We Work

We take a systems based approach to understand how communities work and which levers need to be pulled or pushed to enable this transition to a regenerative future.  From examination of the values based decision making to examination of which levers need to be pushed or pulled.

To put parameters around what a regenerative future looks like, we are inspired by a number of frameworks which interpret how this complex system works including Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and John Fullerton’s Regenerative Economics and guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our shared values as a nation.

One of the most effective levers we use is by working with key groups such as youth or the business community. These include the food and fibre, building and wellbeing sectors. We facilitate and connect those working in these ecosystems, help them to develop a vision and strategy, and work towards mapping out how to reach that vision.

Finally, our focus is on building partnerships and collaboration. Forming connections are essential to creating an effective system.