Our Taupō office is closed Friday, 17 January and will reopen on Monday, 20 January 2025. To report air or water pollution, unsafe water activities in or on a river, lake or harbour, or make a general enquiry or information request during this time, we can be contacted 24/7 on 0800 800 401.

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  1. Environment »
  2. Air

The Waikato region is pretty big, and our different areas have unique populations, weather patterns, landscapes and activities that impact local air quality. 

Find out more about air in our region, the contaminants and activities that affect its quality, and our latest monitoring results.

 

Monitoring and reporting

Recent air quality readings

Find out where our monitoring sites are, and check the latest PM10 and PM2.5 levels.

Exceedances of PM10

Stay updated about when fine particle levels in Tokoroa, Te Kūiti, Taupō and Putāruru have exceeded air quality standards.

Air quality indicators: summary monitoring and reporting

Our air indicators summarise the results of air quality monitoring programmes and provide a holistic report on the state of the Waikato region's air.

Airsheds

An airshed is a legally designated air quality management area. There are 21 airsheds in the Waikato region.

Air contaminants and discharges

Air contaminants

Air contaminants can be solid, liquid or gas in form, and can come from many sources. Some are natural, but many are human-made.

Home heating

Home fires are a major source of air pollution in some areas of the Waikato region.

Industry

Industrial sites can produce a variety of air contaminants, depending on the type of industry and its processes.

Livestock farming

In New Zealand, farmed animals are the main source of greenhouse gases.

Motor vehicles

Vehicle emissions affect human health and the environment. Find out how to reduce petrol and diesel vehicle emissions while saving yourself money.

Odours

Most air quality complaints and enquiries that Waikato Regional Council receive are about odours. Find out where they come from, why odours affect people differently and why odours are difficult to manage.

Outdoor burning

Outdoor burning is a significant contributor to air pollution in some areas of the Waikato region.

Spraying activities

Find out more about Waikato Regional Council's rules and requirements for agrichemical spraying.

Pressures on air quality

Māori and the air

To Māori, air is a taonga or treasure. The Waikato region generally has good air quality, but some areas experience air pollution. Māori are concerned about effects of pollutants on health, the environment and the spiritual values of other taonga.

Climate change

The Waikato region is already experiencing the effects of our changing climate. The changes present risks to our economy, our people, our property and our environment.

Ozone depletion

Some human activities release chemicals into the air that remove ozone. Less ozone in the atmosphere increases the amount of ultra-violet rays that reach the earth.

Weather and air quality

What the weather is doing can have direct effects on air quality at a given location.

Pressures on local air quality

Check out air qualities issues across different areas of the Waikato.