Air

There are few things more important than the air we breathe. Air quality is fundamental to our health and surroundings. Horizons is responsible for monitoring ambient air quality and working with communities to achieve National Environmental Standards and raise awareness around air quality issues.

High winds, low population densities, low transport movement and a lack of polluting industries all benefit air quality in our Region. However, we need to make sure we effectively manage common localised pressures such as spraying, burn off, odours and smoky fires to reduce any potential health effects caused by fine particles in the air.

To ensure our community stays healthy and can breathe easy, Horizons monitors our air quality, reports any breaches, and works with our communities to reduce problems.

National Standards

The Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Air Quality) Regulations were introduced by central government in September 2004. The purpose of the regulations is to provide a guaranteed level of protection to people of New Zealand from air pollutants, dioxins and other toxins in the air. The regulations prescribe:

• standards (for carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter and sulphur dioxide) and prohibitions for certain activities that discharge dioxins and other toxins into the air (burning of tyres, bitumen, coated wire and oil); and
• standards for air quality in relation to certain contaminants; and
• standards and controls on emissions from domestic wood burners; and
• controls on greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.

Airsheds

We are required to identify areas, referred to as airsheds, where these national standards and guidelines for air quality are not always met. Areas in our region, such as Taihape and Taumarunui, have issues with air quality during the winter months because of a combination of topography, altitude, climate and the use of home fires.

As such, they were both gazetted as “airsheds” in 2005 and are now monitored on a continuous basis. They are the only airsheds in the region and their data can be found here. Other areas, particularly urban, have issues with burning rubbish and garden waste in the backyard, causing smoke and odours for neighbouring properties.
 

LAWA

Air Quality in the Horizons Region

Horizons One Plan sets out our Regional Policy Statement. Chapter 7 in the One Plan explains our regional rules to combat issues of backyard burning, rubbish fires, and spray drift and odour in rural areas.

Horizons' aim is to enhance air quality throughout the Region, reducing contaminants that can significantly harm people and the environment.

To help keep our air clean and our neighbours healthy, Horizons' air quality scientists recommend a few simple steps:

• Burn dry firewood, as it burns more efficiently providing more heat emitting fewer particles into the air, and reducing your carbon emissions output.
• Don’t burn treated wood, household waste (especially plastics and oils) or food scraps
• Buy dry wood early and store it correctly
• Have your chimney swept annually
• Ensure your home is well insulated
• If possible, install a National Environment Standard (NES) compliant wood burner

For more detailed information on air quality check out our air quality publications or contact us.

To see what Central Government is doing to improve air quality visit Ministry for the Environment website.