Wao Green Drinks is proud to present an insightful discussion on "Housing for the Future - What Will Our Community Look Like in 2050?"

Housing remains a pertinent issue in New Zealand, particularly in the Queenstown Lakes District, with its own unique set of challenges. Whether you're a tenant or an employer in our community, this conversation is essential for you.

Join us for our upcoming event on Wednesday June 5th from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Our General Manager, Monique Kelly, will lead an engaging panel discussion on the future of housing and communities. We've assembled a diverse panel to examine this topic from various perspectives:

Ross Whitelaw - Proud homeowner in Lake Hawea through the Community Housing Trust.
Anita Vanstone - Spatial Plan and Strategic Growth Manager at QLDC.
Julie Scott - Chief Executive at the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT).

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of housing and communities. See you there!

Join us in the b.social function room above the brewery. The upstairs bar will be open with drinks and food. Come along early to grab a drink and mingle with others.

Tickets only $5 (+ booking fees from Humanitix)

And like all of our Green Drinks, the event is open to everybody so bring a friend, grab your $5 tickets, learn more about affordable housing and if you can, walk or cycle to the event 🚲

Where: b.effect brewery - in the upstairs 'b.sides' function room! @ 60 Anderson Road, Wānaka 9305 (above the brewery!)

When: Wednesday June 5th @ 5:00pm - 6.30pm

Meet your speakers:

Ross Whitelaw: Ross moved to Wanaka in 2002 to study outdoor recreation leadership and has remained ever since. He started at Treble Cone in 2004, working various seasonal roles before transitioning to management, now in his 21st season. The high cost of housing in Wanaka made homeownership seem impossible, but a friend introduced him to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT). Registering with QLCHT led to an opportunity to buy a house in Longview, Lake Hawea. Now a homeowner, Ross is thrilled and actively shares information about QLCHT to help others achieve their homeownership dreams.

Julie Scott: Julie joined QLCHT in 2007 and has an extensive understanding of housing issues in the District. The unique problems of the Queenstown Lakes has led to the Trust being renowned for its innovative programmes. To this end, Julie has led a team which has successfully implemented two assisted home ownership programmes, rent-to-buy, affordable rental, first home buyer’s home loan programme and contracted to central Government to deliver Public Housing. Originally hailing from East Otago, Julie had a background including working for the DoC, guiding on the Routeburn track, Ski Patrol, before finding her place in community housing.

Anita Vanstone: Anita is QLDC’s Strategic Growth Manager with over 20 years of experience having worked for local councils, private practice and for a residential development company in New Zealand and the UK. Her experience includes both consenting, policy work and delivery including the processing of Special Housing Areas (from establishment right through to the final resource consent), Dwelling Capacity Modelling and more recently Spatial Planning and its implementation. Anita manages the Strategic Growth team that is responsible for the management of the Grow Well Whaiora Partnership (one of six urban growth partnerships that exist across NZ), the creation and implementation of the Spatial Plan Gen 1.0, Structure Planning (Te Tapuae / Southern Corridor), growth planning and all non-resource management housing matters. A key aspect of Anitas role is forging better relationships and partnerships internally and with government, the regional council, iwi, developers and the community.