Clean air is an essential element of the environment.  The Bay of Plenty has clean air most of the time, but there are areas where there is some air pollution.  This pollution is caused by the discharge of contaminants into air both from natural sources (such as sea salt and pollen) and as a result of human activity (such as woodfires and vehicles).

Poor air quality can have adverse effects on the environment.  Not only does it look unpleasant, the gases and dust that make up the pollution can effect peoples health. 

Environment Bay of Plenty’s goal in respect to air quality is to manage the air resource of the Bay of Plenty region in a manner which ensures the maintenance and/or enhancement of air quality, while taking into account the needs of both present and future generations. Environment Bay of Plenty works with the Bay of Plenty community to ensure that the regions air is clean.

Air quality is also controlled at a national level.  The Ministry for the Environment has established the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) which came into effect in September 2004.  The standards set the minimum requirements that the ambient air should meet in order to protect human health and the environment, and limits ambient concentrations of certain pollutants.  These pollutants are known to cause adverse effects on human health at certain concentrations, and the limits have been set accordingly.  The primary purpose of the Standards is to provide a guaranteed level of protection for the health of all New Zealanders.

The pollutants that are targeted by the NESAQ are carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide and particulates.  For particulates (fine dust) any airshed is allowed only one exceedence of the limit per year.  If any airshed records more than two exceedences of any of these pollutants, then it must be declared a Local Air Management Area (LAMA).

Environment Bay of Plenty is responsible for implementing the NESAQ.  The Regional Council monitors the air quality in Kawerau, Mount Maunganui, Rotorua, Tauranga, and Whakatane.  At present, Rotorua is the only declared LAMA in the Bay of Plenty.  Over winter months, the concentration of particulates within the Rotorua LAMA regularly exceeds the limit set by the standard.

For more information relating to Land, Water, Coast and Air please contact Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) or email info@envbop.govt.nz.