Started in 2018 by Wānaka local Monique Kelly and a small team, WAO Summit 2024 aims again to inspire and inform, setting us on a pathway to action, helping us lead with purpose, and be part of the transformation towards a thriving future.

Saturday 2 November in the morning

Guided tour of Namaste Park and Gardens, our 2.5 hectares on the outskirts of Wānaka, featuring regenerating land with a developing 600-tree arboretum, and extensive ornamental and edible gardens maintained in harmony with nature. Our carbon-positive household is the occasion to learn about renewable energy, locally sourced food, electric equipment, wise water management, circular waste management and healthy living.

At the height of spring beauty, with dogwoods, rhododendrons and many more in full bloom, join us for practical, carbon-free living and land management insights, a Tree Healing experience, morning tea and Q&A.

When: 9-11am Where: Namaste Park and Gardens (address provided after booking).
No dogs allowed. $26.05(incl. $1.05 fee)− Booking here

Please note a bespoke Namaste and regeneration tour is also available on request (min 2 participants) from October to April.

Saturday 2 November in the afternoon

I will hold an informative stand at the Festival of Nature, a vibrant celebration connecting everyone to nature. We will share information about everything regenerative and tree protection in the Upper Clutha; I look forward to it!

When: 2-6pm Where: The Camp, Hawea. Booking here

As part of the process, I was invited to provide a short bio, an interesting reflection exercise showing I actually have a LOT of knowledge and practice for a healthier planet and resilient happy communities. I am a professional generalist which allows for holistic interconnected approach of the issues people, society and the planet face, with a positive solution focus that I am diligent to share.

Here is the bio, not to boast, but so that people can tap into these skills.

Nature advocate and regeneration practitioner, I have always loved trees and flowers!

With a Master of Economics and a graduate diploma in Sustainable practice, I developed a clear holistic vision and practical how-to for regenerating our lifestyle and district on all levels: ecosystems, water, transport, building, waste, energy, economics, health, wellbeing, community resilience and democracy. I share vision and knowledge for creating a beautiful resilient low-pollution district, region and country in practicing, submitting, emailing, speaking and opening the conversation on Regenerative Wanaka FB group.

And it all started in the garden ! As information manager for the French organic gardening magazine and visitor centre Terre Vivante, I professionally researched and spread practical ecology knowledge 30 years ago already.

20 years a Wanaka local, I was librarian at Mount Aspiring College where I facilitated the College Sustainability Club. I have been involved locally in many grassroot groups: Local Food Wanaka, Wanaka Wastebusters, Plastic Free Wanaka, Te Kakano, Wanaka Timebank etc. and organised the Wanaka Climate March in 2015. 

Now owner operator of a local guided garden tour business, I continue spreading the word and love on gardening in harmony with nature, regenerating land and living sustainably. 

I walk the talk: My tourism business is carbon neutral and now zero waste. And our personal carbon footprint is below the 2025 Future Fit GHGe target. 

I am facilitating the Regenerative Wanaka FB group and #LoveWanakaTrees campaign.

I am fostering a district approach to enhancing biodiversity and community wellbeing in a public/private partnership (willing landowners, local groups and the Council) creating green corridors for wildlife, with commuting and leisure trails, local food growing, timber and firewood growing. 

When I am not emailing and submitting locally and nationally to represent nature, trees and future generations, I am usually in the garden, hands in the earth or communing with nature.

Here is the awesome lineup of the WAO festival. See you there!