Project 14: Love Wānaka / Love Queenstown

Objective

Increase the total value of the visitor economy, net of all costs and leakage.

Description

This project completes the work already begun to create local community funds that will provide opportunities to receive and hold funds that support environmental and community goals. It may also support projects that visitors can get involved with and provide an option for visitors to give back financially.

Inputs, actions and thought starters

Establish a community fund that targets visitor give-back and financial contributions to support social and environmental outcomes.
Develop platforms that enable visitor give-back programmes.

Progress to date

The development of the Love Queenstown / Love Wānaka community funds has been underway for several months. The focus of these funds is to support localised climate, conservation, and biodiversity initiatives, accelerating the region’s shift to a regenerative carbon zero future and enabling visitors to positively impact Queenstown and Wānaka through their activities and experiences.  Progress made includes:

the development of individual brand identities (Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown).
the establishment of a partnership with the Wakatipu Community Foundation (CC55258) which will handle the charitable arm of the delivery of the regenerative tourism fund.
the official launch of both funds on 4 April 2023.

Project leads

Ash Bickley - Community Fund Co-ordinator
Lake Wānaka Tourism
Destination Queenstown

How to get involved

Queenstown Lakes businesses - visit the relevant site below to support the integration of the community funds in your organisations.
- Queenstown businesses visit here.
- Wānaka businesses download the Love Wānaka info kit or download assets.
Resident community - visit the Love Queenstown or Love Wānaka sites to learn how to get involved.
Visitors - visit the Love Queenstown or Love Wānaka sites to learn how to get involved.