Kotahi Air

Human activities can lead to contaminants being released into the air. Some emissions can have a negative impact on our air quality – they look bad, affect human health and the environment, and contribute to climate change. Natural sources of pollution also affect air quality. 

In Hawke’s Bay, a mix of natural sources, like sea salt, windblown soil and pollens, and human activities, such as industry, shipping, transport and home heating all impact air quality.  

The Regional Council monitors air using the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality NES-AQ first set in 2004. These standards include limits on fine particulates, known as PM10 and four pollutant gases: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and sulphur dioxide. HBRC has continuously monitored PM10 levels since 2004, and PM2.5 levels in the Napier and Hastings urban areas since 2017. Similar PM10 monitoring in the Awatoto industrial area has been in place since 2012. These three ‘airsheds’ have elevated levels of fine particulates from time to time. 

What adds to air pollution? Wood burners used for home heating, outdoor fires to burn garden or horticultural waste, and land management practices. On calm, frosty winter days, smoke doesn’t rise and disperse. Instead, it stays low to the ground.  

The health effects of air pollution are widely known. The most vulnerable people are those with pre-existing respiratory and heart conditions, diabetes, children and the elderly. Air pollution worsens asthma attacks. It contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and is considered carcinogenic. The effects can lead to increased hospital admissions, greater use of medication, days off school, lost productive days and even premature deaths. The pollutants we experience are part of our everyday activities, such as driving cars and using wood burners to heat homes. Some pollutants affect our health even when present at low levels. 

HBRC has environmental goals for air quality in its Regional Resource Management Plan (RRMP) and Strategic Plan 2020-2025. Several goals aim to meet WHO guidelines by 2025. This includes limits on PM2.5to manage discharges to air, with specific rules for Napier and Hastings airsheds.   

The Kotahi Plan presents an opportunity to: