Local sustainability-focused organisation Wao Aotearoa is celebrating another successful year.

It is also gearing up for a “transformative” 2025 with a range of new initiatives in the works, Wao general manager Monique Kelly said.

In 2025 Wao plans to launch a new programme to provide leadership and learning opportunities to local youth and scale up its Climate Action Initiative (CAI) by hosting more workshops and programmes.

It also plans to mobilise the Southern Lakes Kai Collective (a group which aims to build food resilience), expand the Better Building Working Group (BBWG) by hosting workshops and events that address critical construction industry issues, launch its Circular Economy Workstream, and more.

Wao aims to ‘shift the system’ - address the root causes of major challenges rather than just treat the symptoms, Monique said.

She said it was “about redesigning the way we work, live, and grow to ensure long-term sustainability for our environment, economy, and community”. 

“Being a systems shifter means becoming part of the solution,” Monique said. “This is our core mission at Wao.”

Wao also hosted another successful Wao Summit this year with record attendance, she said.

Other highlights of the year included the Harvest Festival, a series of successful Green Drinks events, community engagement of various types, and the Wao Film Festival.

Wao has launched a ‘system shifters’ donation drive to help fund Wao projects.

“Your donation isn’t just financial support—it’s a vote of confidence in a better future,” Monique said. 

“Every contribution allows us to tackle the systems that matter most and create measurable, meaningful change.”

Learn more about Wao Aotearoa or make a ‘system shifter’ donation here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App