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Our aspiration is for the visitor industry to enrich this place and the lives of the local community, now and into the future. To create mutual value for whānau / whānui (our families, communities, and visitors), our whenua (our place and natural resources) and our economy.
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Guardianship
We recognise both the privilege and the responsibility of living in and being stewards of such a treasured place.
Collaboration
We are inclusive and respectful. We bring people together, united behind a shared vision for the future of our home.
Leadership
We aim to inspire change and support our local businesses and communities to join the mission.
Transparency
We are open, honest and transparent, standing by our claims and acting with integrity at all times.
Love Queenstown exists to:
We raise and distribute funds to those leading the protection and regeneration of Queenstown’s stunning natural environment. 100% of our funding is allocated locally, giving life to those making a difference in our region.
We connect visitors to projects of value within our region, providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our guests and driving lasting change for the environment we love.
Love Queenstown provides an opportunity for our industry to come together and leave an impact we can be proud of.
Love Queenstown is backed by a group of passionate organisations and individuals.
Read on to find out more.
A long term and passionate member of the Queenstown Lakes community, Ash is using her skills and knowledge to focus on the protection and regeneration of Wānaka and Queenstown’s exceptional natural environment through the support of community-led initiatives.
We’re so fortunate that Fi calls the Queenstown Lakes home and brings such a depth of knowledge and passion with her. With over 20 years working across fundraising, organisational culture and strategic planning, Fi’s expertise in the non-profit space is unparalleled. Fi is an FIA Fellow, a FINZ Fellow and a member of the FINZ Ethics Committee.
Love Queenstown is guided by Destination Southern Lakes (DSL) a partnership organisation formed in 2023 by Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism to drive forward our region’s regenerative tourism plan, Travel To A Thriving Future. You can keep up to date with progress on this plan here.
Love Queenstown and Love Wānaka (our joint initiative over the hill) are delivered in partnership with the 45South Foundation (formerly Wakatipu Community Foundation) – a donor driven charitable trust that supports localised philanthropy in our region. The Foundation was integral to the development of and Love Queenstown and Love Wānaka, and continues to support these in an advisory, audit and compliance capacity.
A portion of all funds raised are invested into an endowment fund with support from the Community Foundation – ensuring Love Queenstown creates long-term, substantial funding opportunities into the future. The interest earned on this fund will be available for discretionary disbursement each year (as part of the general funding round), whilst the capital remains intact. This annual gifting continues in perpetuity - it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
45South Foundation is a registered charity in New Zealand (CC55258).
The independent distribution committee is tasked with setting the overall distribution strategy, reviewing grant applications, and allocating funds to the organisations and initiatives who are best-placed to provide impact, where it’s needed most. This committee consists of local experts in both the grant-making and sustainability / environmental space.
The 2025 Committee consists of: Calum Macleod, Fiona McPhee, Julie Perry, Megan Williams and David Butt, and is supported by the 45South Foundation.
Love Queenstown is a non-profit initiative managed by Destination Southern Lakes – a collaboration between Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism. Love Queenstown and Love Wānaka (our partner initiative over the hill) are delivered in partnership with the 45South Foundation – a donor driven charitable trust that supports localised philanthropy right here in our region.
Love Queenstown funds climate, conservation and biodiversity action exclusively within the Queenstown-Lakes region (bordered by the Cardrona Saddle in the North and Kingston in the South, and including the towns of Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Gibbston). Love Queenstown supports the organisations who are championing this work right here and now, as well as the innovators and the change-markers who are striving to meet the future needs of our region.
Each year, Love Queenstown allocates funds to local organisations and initiatives who are working to benefit Queenstown’s environment, whether that's through native reforestation, biodiversity and pest eradication efforts, waterway health programmes, conservation, wilding control, climate education and advocacy, and more.
We fund immediate environmental need via our annual Impact Grants and are working to grow funding for long-term, future focused projects, with 20% of everything we raise invested in an endowment fund for future initiatives.
Each year we allocate funds to local organisations who operate in the climate, conservation, and biodiversity space. Every dollar raised is spent exclusively within this region, so you know you’re making a difference to the place you love. Funding is available to charitable organisations and initiatives on a contestable basis, with annual grant rounds open each year. Check out previous recipients or learn more about what funding is available here.
Love Queenstown makes it easy for businesses to give back and be part of the collective effort to protect and regenerate Queenstown’s environment. Become an Impact Partner, donate on a monthly basis, or make a contribution per product, ticket, or experience sold. Click through to the businesses page for more information, or reach out to the team to start the journey.
20% of all funds raised are invested in an endowment fund, enabling long-term, substantial funding opportunities that will benefit this place for generations to come. Funds are invested with support from the 45South Foundation.
We pool our funds for collective impact, so no matter how big or small your donation is, it all goes back to protecting our environment in a meaningful way.
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