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Programme overview

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) measures key air pollutants at core monitoring sites to track air quality trends and to check that air quality meets national standards and guidelines which aim to provide a minimum level of health protection for our communities. We also operate a traffic-related air pollution monitoring network using passive diffusion tubes to track trends in harmful emissions across the region. This report contains summaries of annual results for the calendar year from both these networks as well as long term trends from the core sites.

Monitoring networks

Scroll/zoom on the map to find areas of interest. Click on a site to see more information.

1See benchmarking & resources for descriptions of each passive tube site type.

Monitoring objectives

  1. Assess
    airshedAirsheds are geographic areas defined for managing air pollution emissions and for carrying out air quality monitoring for compliance with national standards and guidelines. Monitoring is mandatory in airsheds where national air quality standards are likely to be breached. Air quality standards and guidelines still apply to areas that are outside airsheds.
    compliance with national standards and guidelines designed to protect human health and the environment;
  2. Track trends in air quality and urban emissions between different areas and over time;
  3. Contribute to our understanding of air quality processes and impacts in the Wellington region; and
  4. Provide information required to determine the effectiveness of regional plans and policies.

Information on key pollutants monitored

  • Particulate matter (PM10 & PM2.5) Particle air pollution known as particulate matter (PM) is the mixture of microscopic solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air. Breathing in these particles can lead to respiratory (lung) and cardiovascular (heart) problems. The largest source of PM2.5 measured in our region is wood smoke from winter home fires. [Read more]
  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is formed from the exhaust emissions of cars, trucks, ships, aviation and industrial activities that involve burning of fossil fuels. Traffic is the largest source of nitrogen dioxide in the region. [Read more]
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels. These fuels include petrol and diesel used in motor vehicles, and wood and coal used for domestic heating or in industrial boilers. Motor vehicles are the main source of CO in urban areas. [Read more]

This web report may be cited as:

Mitchell T. 2021. Air quality monitoring data report 2020. Greater Wellington Region Council. Available at: www.gw.govt.nz/annual-monitoring-reports/2020/air-quality

Banner photo by Helen Westerbeke