Wao summit 2025 - full programme and tickets

Wao Summit 2025: A Week of World-Class Climate Action and Leadership

The Southern Lakes are set to welcome an extraordinary lineup of global and national leaders this October for Wao Summit 2025, the region’s premier week-long festival of climate action, intergenerational thinking, and community-led innovation. The countdown is on with tickets and the full programme launched last week. With the bold theme “Journey to 2125”, this year’s summit invites attendees to think a century ahead: What kind of world do we want to leave for our mokopuna, and how can we design it today?

Running from October 28 to November 2 across Wānaka and Queenstown, the summit brings together kōrero, films, workshops, and community events designed to spark practical action and foster long-term, systemic change.

World-Class Speakers, Transformative Sessions

Wao Summit 2025 is proud to present a lineup of renowned speakers, each bringing unique expertise across climate science, sustainable business, ecosystem management, and food systems:

● Kate Meyer, founder of Planetary Accounting, will present Introduction to Planetary Accounting for the Building Industry at Better Building Day, providing industry leaders with practical tools to measure and reduce environmental impact in construction.

● Matthew Cutler-Welsh, building resilience champion, will lead insights into designing structures that endure both climate and societal shifts.

● Dr Cathrine Dyer, ecologist and conservation expert, will guide sessions on biodiversity and ecological restoration, showing how communities can actively shape resilient ecosystems.

● Dr Carly Green, sustainability researcher, will explore community-driven climate solutions that balance business imperatives with planetary care.

● Sean Weaver, sustainability strategist, will share his vision for integrating purpose-driven thinking into business and organizational culture.

● Dr Maureen Murphy, food systems researcher, and Prof Alan Renwick, agricultural economist, will present at Food Resilience Day, examining how local production, regenerative practices, and smart policy can secure our food future.

● Dr Ella Lawton, climate and hydrology expert, will facilitate Slow the Flow, a hands-on session demonstrating water-smart approaches to agriculture and urban planning. ● Mawera Karetai, Māori business advocate, will explore indigenous knowledge and sustainable enterprise, highlighting pathways for culturally grounded leadership.

● Prof Sara Walton, sustainability scholar, will unpack innovations in sustainable systems and business practice.

● Sam Gibson (Sam the Trap Man) will bring his practical predator control and ecosystem stewardship expertise to inspire local action for biodiversity protection.

● Lisa Thompson, former head of international growth for Allbirds and Icebreaker, will speak on purpose-driven leadership and scaling sustainable businesses.

● Sydney Straver, advocate for environmental accountability, and Nicola King, founder of Sustainable Ladies, will showcase community-focused climate initiatives and strategies to empower change at scale.

Hero Evening Kōrero: Don’t Miss These Flagship Events

Two must-attend evening kōrero at Rippon Hall promise to be highlights of the summit:

● Journey to 2125 (Tuesday, October 28) kicks off the week with a visionary exploration of our collective future, asking participants to imagine what systems, communities, and policies we must create today to thrive for the next 100 years.

● Your Climate Wake Up Call (Thursday, October 30) offers a hard-hitting, inspiring session designed to equip participants with actionable insights and strategies to tackle the most pressing climate challenges.

Both events are just $15 to attend.

The Journey to 2125 theme represents a turning point for climate action in Aotearoa,” says Monique Kelly, Wao Aotearoa General Manager. “With these incredible speakers and hands-on sessions, the summit is a space to learn, collaborate, and take meaningful action that will shape the systems our mokopuna inherit.”

Early Bird tickets are available now, saving 15% on all passes and events. Visit wao.co.nz to explore the full 6-day festival programme and secure your spot.

About Wao

Aotearoa Wao is a collective movement accelerating system change in Aotearoa by connecting and activating people, groups, and organisations with the power to influence beyond themselves. We deliver targeted programmes in Better Building, Better Transport, Better Events, Better Business, Better Communities, and Food Resilience. Our flagship Wao Summit is a week-long festival designed to inspire collaboration and embed intergenerational thinking for climate action.

Tickets available here.