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Odour management in New Zealand

The Ministry published a new Good Practice Guide to Assessing and Managing Odour in New Zealand in 2003. This guide updates the Ministry’s previous guide Odour Management under the Resource Management Act (1995).

The new guide contains advice on:

  • how to assess the effects of odour, including how to determine whether “objectionable or offensive odour” is causing adverse effects
  • how to monitor the effects of odour through community surveys, odour diaries and council investigations
  • case law under the RMA relating to odour management in New Zealand
  • when to use dispersion modelling for odour assessment
  • how to manage odour emissions, including some basic information on suitable mitigation options.

The odour review also included a background technical report and draft good practice guide for odour management in New Zealand which were used to develop the guide and for consultation. Those wishing to review the submissions received on the draft guide and the Ministry’s response to requested changes should email air@mfe.govt.nz.

Last updated: 17 September 2007