Our air

Northland is noted for its clear skies and fresh air.

Great air quality; why?

Northland enjoys a high standard of air quality, thanks to:

• south-westerly winds that quickly disperse polluted air
• a relatively dispersed population
• low vehicle density; and
• few heavy industries.

What pollutes the air?

Having clear and clean air is essential for human health and the environment. Air becomes polluted when harmful gases, particles and chemicals get mixed into the air we breathe. Air quality is influenced by both natural and human activities. The key issues affecting Northland’s air quality are:

• smoke from wood burners during winter and backyard burning
• transport and industrial emissions
• dust from vehicles travelling on unsealed roads
• application of agrichemicals and fertiliser.

Home fires

Although we live in the ‘winterless north’ lots of us use wood burners to heat our homes in winter. Many homes have older wood burners that are less efficient and produce more smoke than modern wood burners. In Whangārei city, domestic wood burning contributes 54 percent to the annual emissions of tiny particles called PM_2.5. These particles can reach our lungs when inhaled. Outdoor burning of waste materials also contributes to air pollution and releases toxic chemicals in the air.

Agrichemicals

Agrichemicals (other than fertiliser) are used to manage pest plants, insects and diseases. They include fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Spraydrift can affect human health and nearby crops that are not the target of spraying. There are rules and requirements for agrichemical application in Northland’s Proposed Regional Plan. If you are applying more than a knapsack sprayer or a non-motorised handgun sprayer you need to hold a current GROWSAFE Registered Chemical Applicators Certificate or a qualification that meets the requirements of H.10.3 Qualifications required for the application of agrichemicals of the Northland’s Proposed Regional Plan.

Our role

Under the Resource Management Act 1991, it is our role to maintain Northland’s high standard of air quality.

The plan is to have Northlanders make smart choices to keep their air clean. We would like you to do following:

• Select home heating devices to non-solid fuel alternatives (such as heat pumps)
• Use fuel efficient and low emission burners. Make sure you only use dry wood in your wood burner
• Make sure your heating device is appropriately sized to your heating requirements
• Beside wet wood, there are other materials such as treated wood, painted wood, plywood, particleboard, driftwood, and rubbish that are dangerous to burn in home heating devices
• Reduce heating requirements by insulating your home
• Keep your car well-tuned and serviced on time
• If possible use public transport, try carpooling, cycling or walking; and
• Minimise backyard burning and only burn untreated wood, paper, cardboard and dry vegetative matter.