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Air quality
New Zealand has relatively good air quality due to our low population density, close proximity to the sea, and remoteness from other continents and sources of pollution. However, there are some areas (mostly urban) where concentrations of air pollution are quite high, especially during low wind conditions where there is high traffic density and where home heating is mainly by open fires or wood burners.
As our population, standard of living and size of urban areas increase, air pollution could get worse. The quality of the air we breathe, which we often take for granted, may be threatened. We do not usually get to choose the air that we breathe, unlike the food we eat or water we drink, so we must look after our air carefully and protect one of New Zealand’s most precious resources.
The Ministry recognises the importance of keeping the air clean and healthy to breathe. This section of the site provides information on our work on air quality and the effects of air pollution:
- Clean air programme – an outline of the Ministry’s current work programme
- The air we breathe – a basic introduction to air quality and the main contaminants in our air including health and environmental effects
- Roles and responsibilities – an overview of who manages air quality in New Zealand.
