Rotorua Air Quality
Our responsibility for air quality in Rotorua
Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for managing
the region's air quality. National Environmental Standards were
introduced in 2004 for air quality and it is our responsibility to
ensure that they are met.
These standards provide a level of protection for the health of New
Zealanders and our natural environment. Forty-two areas, called
airsheds, were established to have their pollution
monitored. Rotorua is one these.
Rotorua's Air Quality
Rotorua has the worst winter air quality in the North
Island.
Rotorua's air quality exceeds the safe and acceptable level set by
Ministry for Environment. We have the highest number of exceedences
in the North Island.
The biggest source of our air pollution is from solid-fuel burners
for home heating i.e. wood burners, multi burners and open
fires.
The most vulnerable to the adverse health effects of our air
pollution is the very young, the elderly and those who suffer from
respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Appoximately 228 tonnes of fine particulates are discharged
annually into Rotorua's air. We need to reduce this by 60 tonnes to
meet the safe and acceptable standards set by the Ministry for
Environment.
What are we doing about it?
Our air quality is affecting our health and is unpleasant to look at. Bay of Plenty Regional Council is implementing the Rotorua Air Quality Action Plan (pdf, 1.7MB) to clean it up. We also work with an Air Quality Joint Committee that includes representatives from Rotorua District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Ministry for the Environment and the health sector.
What can you do?
- Rotorua's air quality is a community problem and we all need to take action to help clean it up. There are several ways you can make a difference. Read more >>
- Get Firewood Early
Pollution Hotline
If you are concerned about activities causing air pollution please call our Pollution Hotline on 0800 884 883.