For the third consecutive year, Wanaka-based charitable trust WAO (formerly One Wanaka) is hosting a week-long summit, bringing workshops, tours and speakers to the local community. 

The WAO Reset Summit will take place from October 27 until November 1 and this year it will include a series of ‘Reset’ conversations. The opening discussion addresses 'where to from here', focusing on decarbonisation of the economy.

Guest speakers will include renowned United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lead authors Dr. Carly Green and James Salinger.

“With all the additional stresses and strains we are facing because of COVID-19, right on top of the climate crises we are having to deal with, we need big conversations and bold solutions,” WAO co-founder Monique Kelly said. 

“The Reset Summit is about providing the space to have these discussions and bringing in expertise in workshops for practical solutions to big issues.” 

Across the six days of workshops and events - there over 20 separate events in total - topics will span building and construction, fashion, the circular economy, virtual reality tourism, food and fibre production, and tackling the issue of suicide in the construction industry.

The summit ends on Sunday November 1 with the Well Being Reset day, a free community event showcasing wellbeing providers.

“People will be able to learn how to ferment your own food, make a healthy meal on a budget, listen to some of our local experts,” Monique said. 

WAO was founded by Monique and Arna Craig in 2018, and has hosted workshops, events and summits in both Wanaka and Queenstown to further its mission to educate, inspire and enable New Zealand communities to accelerate towards a carbon zero, regenerative future and beyond. 

“We’ve named this the Reset Summit because the Reset button has been well and truly pushed on our global, national and local economy and community as we focus on protecting our fundamental right to health and life,” Monique said. “COVID has accelerated some of trends that we were seeing prior to this such as a shift to conscious consumerism and growing awareness about our impact on the planet. We need to use this opportunity to build back better.”

Programme information and ticket details can be found at the event website.

PHOTO: Supplied