Local Organisations Ngā rōpū whakahaere tūtata

Community Networks/LINK is the Upper Clutha's one-stop community support and connection centre, supporting our growing community across the full welfare spectrum. We work to provide information and support; connect and collaborate; and build resilient community through development projects and cross-sector collaboration.

Destination Queenstown (DQ) is a Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) and is responsible for destination marketing, domestically and internationally, as well as destination management.

The Otago CDEM (Civil Defence Emergency Management) Group region extends from the Waitaki River in the north to Teahimate Bay in the South, west to the summit of the Haast Pass and east to 20km offshore into the Pacific Ocean. Otago borders the Canterbury, Southland and West Coast regions.

KiwiHarvest's mission is to help Aotearoa’s population become 100% food secure, ensuring every man, woman and child has access to enough good, nutritious food each and every day.

Lake Wānaka Tourism is predominantly funded by a tourism levy, determined as a percentage of the commercial and accommodation rate, and collected by council on behalf of Lake Wānaka Tourism. Members are either commercial ratepayers or businesses who pay a subscription levy.

The Lightfoot Initiative Charitable Trust grew out of the increasing sense of urgency we have about climate change. Lightfoot’s purpose is to benefit communities within the Queenstown Lakes District by supporting the development and use of safer, healthier and more sustainable transport networks that encourage widespread mode shift and greater community connection.

Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust is a kaupapa Māori organisation committed to positive social, cultural and environmental development for our community. It was established in 2020 and engages with over 250 whānau per month whilst also restoring 10,000 hectares of freshwater catchment in the Whakatipu.

The Southern Lakes Sanctuary protects an unrivalled array of natural taonga in the breath-taking catchments of Lakes Wānaka and Whakatipu. It does this through enduring partnerships with local community groups, iwi, business and government.

The Superhome Movement is a non-profit, industry-lead group creating transformative change in the New Zealand building industry through education, supporting good business & lobbying for change. Their goal is to raise standards so that all new homes are healthier and more energy efficient, while also promoting environmental, economic, and socially sustainable practices.

Sustainable Queenstown is making a meaningful difference on the ground and enabling our community to do the same.

• Thinking globally - through our alignment to the UN SDG’s, focusing on Climate and Waste.
• Acting locally - through our local events, food redistribution and zero- waste event management.
• Enabling processes for change - through facilitated action, advocacy and advice, working in partnerships and through our connections.

Te Kākano is a community native plant nursery. They grow eco-sourced native plants that are used for community planting projects. Their mission is to inspire community habitat restoration through propagation, education and hands-on participation.

WAI Wānaka aims to connect the many individuals, community groups, iwi, landowners and businesses undertaking positive work towards building healthy ecosystems and supporting community wellbeing in our region.

Wao: Māori kupu/word for forest or "Working as One" - We want New Zealand to be fair, regenerative, diverse and interconnected with a strong ecological ceiling and social foundation. We coordinate with other local organisations and groups to help our communities transition to a more sustainable future through inspiring events and impactful programmes and projects. 

Wanaka Wastebusters was set up by our community in 2000 with a mission to work towards zero waste in Wanaka and across the country.

Whakatipu Reforestation Trust embodies a vision to restore the native biodiversity of the Whakatipu Basin through revegetation projects, collaboration, education & advocacy.

Whakatipu Wilding Control Group (WCG) work collaboratively to protect our outstanding natural landscapes and unique alpine biodiversity from wilding pine threats, by reducing spread and removing seed sources.

The Whakatipu Wildlife Trust (WWT) was formed in 2017 and serves as an umbrella organisation to connect, grow, and support the region’s predator-free efforts. They coordinate the efforts of over 70 trapping groups who are engaged in activities to help make the Queenstown Lakes District predator-free.

The Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group works with community groups and experienced contractors in the Wānaka and Hāwea areas to protect NZ native ecosystems and biodiversity from the threat of invasive plants like wilding conifers.