Food and fibre experts will share their knowledge at this month’s WAO Reset Summit in Wanaka.

WAO’s aim is to educate, inspire and enable New Zealand communities to accelerate towards a carbon-zero future and beyond, and annual summit organisers’ are locals Monique Kelly and Arna Craig.

The week-long summit, bringing workshops, tours and speakers to the local community, will take place from October 27 to November 1.

Monique said New Zealand has the potential to become a leader in the field of both natural and animal fibres. “That’s why, with the help of Wai Wanaka, we’ve put such a focus on food and fibre this year.”

Food and fibre will be on the agenda in a variety of forms, including the ‘Circular Threads’ talk by Carrfields Primary Wool Group CEO Colin McKenzie; a series of four workshops on carbon by Dr. Carly Green, a global expert in agricultural and forestry carbon mitigation; and an expert panel discussion on how the food and fibre sector are leading the discussion on the environmental and social footprint. 

There will also be field visits to five different farms to learn about their regenerative farming. 

“Each farm will focus on different aspects of the work being done including soil health, riparian planting, carbon sequestration, water monitoring and the multiscapes that make up our rural landscape,” Wai Wanaka chair Mandy Bell said. 

Photographer Camilla Rutherford will also reveal her ‘Heal the Earth’ exhibit, the result of spending a year visiting regenerative farms around the country.

“...I was humbled and inspired by meeting these hard working people, hearing their stories and what led them down this path. They are doing what they can to improve the land for not only future generations, but for New Zealand as a whole,” Camilla said.

The Reset Summit includes 20 events, covering topics including building and construction, fashion, the circular economy, virtual reality tourism, food and fibre production and the issue of suicide in the construction industry.

More programme information and ticket details can be found here.

PHOTO: Camilla Rutherford