Love Wānaka provides an opportunity for our business community to come together, leave a legacy we can be proud of, and inspire change the world over.
By supporting Love Wānaka, you’re supporting the network of community organisations driving environmental action across our rohe (region) with targeted and impactful funding. It’s all about giving back, looking after the places we love, and creating businesses that are strong, resilient, and loved by the community.
And luckily there are plenty of perks for those who strive to do better. Here are our top 10.
Today’s travellers are more aware of their environmental impact than ever before. Sustainability is now a key driver in attracting loyal customers willing to spend more on quality products and experiences, with 61% of travellers actively looking for sustainable options and 43% willing to pay more to do so (Booking.com, 2023).
This is only magnified in the Queenstown Lakes District, where our region’s stunning natural scenery is the primary attraction for international visitors. In fact, 62% of our visitors book their trip thanks to our iconic vistas and the care our community shows in protecting them (Destination Queenstown, 2024).
Closer to home, 82% of modern employees believe company purpose is essential to job satisfaction (McKinsey, 2024). Partnering with Love Wānaka helps to attract and retain top talent – building a more engaged team motivated by purpose beyond profit – and differentiate your business amongst a growing crowd of conscious consumers and employees alike.
“Wānaka is one of the world’s great lifestyle playgrounds, drawing guests who are active, adventurous, and eager for a challenge. We are committed to protecting our environment, with initiatives like Love Wānaka enabling us, and our guests, to give back.” – Nick Frame, Release NZ
Surrounding yourself with the right people in business is not just good for morale, it’s a strategic move that can set your organisation up for future success. Partnering with Love Wānaka helps you connect with a network of likeminded businesses who are just as passionate about looking after this place as you are – whether that’s through networking opportunities or getting stuck in at one of our industry volunteer days.
“Big or small, every business has the power to contribute. When we collectively invest in Love Wānaka, we help sustain our natural environment, support wildlife and protect our small but mighty patch of Mother Earth for generations to come. We encourage others to join us – because when we give a little, we all gain a lot.” – Gray Campbell, Active Massage.
Unique challenges require unique solutions, and that’s exactly what we’re here to do. Love Wānaka provides a smarter way to give, with the impact of your funding going further for you and the environment at the heart of our home.
Thanks to the generous support of our delivery partners, 80% of everything we raise supports immediate environmental need through our Annual Impact Grants, and the remaining 20% is invested for future generations via the Love Wānaka endowment fund.
We’ve also got the results to back it up. In our first 12 months, we saw over 550 passionate businesses and visitors join the mission. $35,000+ was granted back to the community to support immediate environmental needs, with a further $8,500 invested for the future. We also planted hundreds of native trees with the support of our partners, connected countless visitors to local volunteer opportunities, and reached almost 1 million people with stories of sustainable travel.
“We are so passionate about sharing our special place with the world, but we also know the responsibility that comes with it. Love Wānaka provides us with an opportunity to share a different side of Wānaka with our visitors, and invite them to play a part in looking after it for the future.” – Liz Hills, Wānaka iSite Visitor Centre
With the support of the 45South Foundation, 20% of every dollar raised is invested in an endowment fund that will continue to grow over time, creating substantial, long-term funding opportunities for generations to come. Each project is carefully considered, ensuring it will create impact over time and it’s something our kids, and theirs, can look back on and be proud of.
Regions around the world are looking to Wānaka as leaders in this space, so it’s up to us to inspire the change we want to see.
“Let’s show our locals, our visitors, and our kids what we’re about, and play our part in protecting the environment we all benefit so much from. Without it, we quite literally would not exist.” – Charlie Cochrane, Racers Edge
Love Wānaka is delivered in partnership with Lake Wānaka Tourism and the 45South Foundation, meaning we’ve got great reach with our visitors and the backing of the experts in the charitable giving space.
Our independent distribution committee provides guidance in allocating funds to the organisations and initiatives who can drive impact where it’s needed most. This committee consists of local experts in both the grant-making and sustainability / environmental space, so you can be confident knowing your dollar is making a genuine difference.
“For our community to reach its goals, we must be innovative, dedicated, and focused. Love Wānaka is an excellent example of this, demonstrating the power of collaboration and the immense potential we have to benefit our communities indefinitely.” – Jennifer Belmont, 45South Foundation
Love Wānaka is all about channelling the love we have for this place into meaningful action, with 100% of our funding supporting grassroots efforts within this region. That means your dollars stay local and you get to see and feel the benefits of your support in your everyday life and be part of creating a more resilient community.
“Love Wānaka’s role as a connector helps unite purpose-driven organisations like ourselves with each other and with visitors in a shared effort to understand, protect and regenerate this region’s environment.” – Millie Ginnet, WAI Wānaka
We’re here to make it easy for businesses to scale up their giving and do a little (or a lot) of good. With flexible giving options, you can make a one-off donation or sign up for automated monthly donations with a credit card or bank payment.
Our goal is to simplify your giving approach while maximising its impact on your business and the environment. With a special focus on supporting initiatives with complementary benefits, just one contribution can impact multiple areas of need.
Our environment needs us. And it needs us now. Despite its beauty, ours is an environment under threat. New Zealand has the highest number of threatened species per capita anywhere in the world, and this region is no different. With less than 10% of our indigenous plant cover remaining, 35 threatened or endangered species in our midst, freshwater health in decline, and public conservation funding under pressure, the time to act is now.
Wānaka’s environment is central to who we are and what we love about this place. It’s the backdrop for our adventures, it’s the magnetic pull for many, and it forms the spirit – the wairua – of our home. Simply put, it’s too special not to protect.
By investing in nature-based solutions, you (and the region around us) will reap the benefits.
Regional Public Health NZ states that “carrying out acts of kindness, whether small or large, can increase happiness, life satisfaction and general sense of wellbeing”. There’s no arguing with that.
By supporting Love Wānaka, you’ll feature on our channels as a business that’s out there, doing good, helping you raise your profile and get in front of the right kind of traveller.
Your charitable giving can also support your journey towards Qualmark, BCorp, and other business accreditations.
Plus, you can receive a charitable donation tax credit of up to 33% for your donations each financial year, making your impact even more significant. Shout the team a coffee, treat yourself to an afternoon off, or simply reinvest your credit into growing your business. Win-win-win.
*Disclaimer: Donations over $5NZD are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under law. Individual donors can claim 33.33 cents for every dollar donated. Companies are also eligible for tax deductions, providing the claim does not exceed their total annual net income. A tax deduction reduces the amount of taxable income. Click here for further information or contact your tax advisor for individual tax advice. All donations are non-refundable.
In short, giving to Love Wānaka is plain old good business. It sets your organisation apart from the crowd, creates opportunities to better connect with the community, and makes a real impact where it matters. And yes, it feels good.
So, what are you waiting for? Donate now and join the community of changemakers making a difference both today, and tomorrow, or reach out to discuss ongoing partnership opportunities.
