Here at Kiwis in Climate, we’re staunchly apolitical. But there’s one recent new political appointment we’re really excited to talk about – Qiulae Wong, the new leader of Opportunity (previously known as “TOP”).
Qiulae (“Q”) was a Kiwis in Climate convenor since early 2024, coming on board as we were still figuring out precisely what we stood for and how we might grow. She has made a huge contribution to the organisation, from the nitty-gritty of running the organisation, to flying the KiC flag onstage as a panelist at the September 2024 Climate Change & Business Conference (CCBC) in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Q at CCBC in 2024
In November 2025 she announced she’d be stepping down for a mysterious “busy new role” – then surprising most of us as she leapt into the public eye as the new leader of Opportunity. Fellow KiC convenor Bryce had a sneak peek of the future, taking some portrait shots of Q to help out the big launch.
Opportunity is a centrist party with sustainability at heart, and New Zealand’s only true “teal” political option. Qiulae brings years of business-environmental experience into the political realm, from her ethical fashion mahi in the UK, to her time leading the Aotearoa arm of the global B-Corp certification, and more recently as an Associate Director in the sustainability team at KPMG.
Qiulae has spoken strongly about breaking the left-right deadlock and the ‘pendulum’ that has become such a feature of world politics, with Aotearoa following close behind.
It’s our hope that Qiulae and Opportunity can provide fresh options both for disillusioned voters, and for coalition partnerships. For more of the long term political decision making we need to build an equitable, carbon-zero, and prosperous future for Aotearoa.
Kiwis in Climate will miss Qiulae as part of our community, and wish her the very best of luck!
