Sustainability

Doing our bit to protect our home, year after year.

At the Wānaka A&P Show, we know events like ours leave a footprint – so we do our best to do our bit. Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and every year we look for practical ways to reduce waste, care for our environment, and support the community that makes the Show possible. By learning, improving, and working together, we can make a positive difference for the future of the Show and the region we’re proud to call home.

Read about the 2026 Show’s sustainability gains here.

Dishwashing Facilities

The Upper Clutha A&P Society invites community groups and event organisers to use the commercial dishwashing facilities, now available year-round within the Wānaka A&P Show Pavilion.

Introduced as part of the 2026 Wānaka A&P Show’s sustainability initiatives, the purpose-built facility helped reduce waste by replacing single-use items with reusable crockery and cutlery during the Show.

The facilities are now available free of charge for local events, fundraisers and community gatherings, helping organisations deliver more practical low-waste events.

This is a shared community resource that benefits the wider Upper Clutha.

For more information email eventmanager@wanakaap.co.nz

Collective Effort

We encourage showgoers to bring their own reusable cups, drink bottles, and bags – and to rethink how they travel to the Show. More and more people are choosing to arrive by bike, use the park and ride, and make small choices that help lessen the impact across the two-days.

Sustainability isn’t something happening just behind the scenes. It’s something that happens because of every choice made, big or small, by everyone who comes through the gates.

Bins, Signage, and Education

Clear signage, simple systems, and strong support behind the scenes made recycling at the Show easier and more effective.

Across the Showgrounds, more than 350 bins were fitted with standardised lids and colour-coded signage to help people sort recycling, compost, and landfill waste correctly. Behind the scenes, the team from Wastebusters worked continuously to maintain the system, remove contamination, and keep recycling streams clean and usable.

Thanks to their dedication – and to everyone who took the time to use the bins correctly – recycling quality improved significantly compared to previous years. It’s a reminder that good systems, clear information, and a great team behind the scenes make it easier for everyone to do their bit.

Food Vendors

Our food vendors continue to play an important role in reducing waste across the Show.

Rather than major changes, the focus has been on simple steps – minimising packaging where possible, cutting back on unnecessary extras, and making it easier for visitors to enjoy their food without generating as much waste. Some vendors have also trialed compostable options, but for many, the biggest shift has been finding ways to serve food more simply.

These small reductions have made a real difference, easing pressure on waste systems and supporting the wider efforts to keep the Show cleaner and more sustainable. It’s an ongoing journey, and we’re proud to work with businesses that are willing to rethink the little things that add up across the weekend.

Why We Keep Going

Sustainability at the Show is a long-term commitment, not a short-term fix.

Every year we learn, adjust, and build on the last – finding better ways to reduce waste, protect the environment, and support the community that makes the Show possible.

There’s still plenty more to do, but every small improvement strengthens the future of the Wānaka A&P Show and the region we’re proud to call home.