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Air Quality

The quality of our air directly impacts the quality of our lives. Poor air quality can impact our community’s health and wellbeing, with issues ranging from respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues to even premature death. It can also have impacts on the environment by affecting ecosystems and visibility.

While there are many ways we impact Murihiku Southland’s air quality in our daily lives, there are also many ways we can improve it. You can find out more about how you can improve Southland’s air quality in our  Warm Up Wisely  brochure.

Air pollution affects the health of us all, but particularly our most vulnerable – children, elderly and those with existing respiratory conditions.

In Southland, we measure air pollution through particles in the air that are easily breathed in. The measure for this is PM10 (particles less than 10 microns in diameter).

Current PM10 reading

This data is correct to the best of our knowledge, but is subject to data outages.

View the average PM10 reading for last 24 hours here

*μg/m3 = micrograms per cubic metre

Read more about PM 10, our monitoring results and other factors that affect our air quality here:

Measuring air quality

Monitoring results

What is an airshed?

We measure PM10 in two airsheds in Southland. An airshed is a geographically defined area, like Invercargill and Gore, where the physical features and weather patterns limit pollutants from dispersing.

Am I in an airshed?

There are a number of things you can do at home to help keep the air clean. Simple things that don't cost you any money include:

Good burning techniques checklist:

All home fires pollute the air because of the particles released from burning. However, an efficient, low-emission wood burner used correctly generates more heat and less smoke. This improves the air our community breathes.

  • Clean your chimney before you light your first fire of the season - your burner will run better and heat your home faster.
  • Use dry wood. Dry firewood has less than 25 percent moisture, burns hotter and will keep you and your family warmer. It also causes less air pollution.
  • Buy your firewood before winter. Store it so that air can circulate freely and away from the rain.
  • Start your fire with kindling. Add big pieces of wood once there is a good bed of embers.
  • After starting a fire, leave the air controls open for at least 30 minutes to help the wood burn well and to build up a good temperature.
  • Never burn wet wood, rubbish, plastics, glossy paper, treated or painted wood - they release toxic chemicals and/or excessive smoke, which can be harmful to your health.

Environment Southland monitors air quality across the region to compare it against the health-based national air quality standards and guidelines.

Environment Southland reviewed part of its Regional Air Quality Plan for Southland to develop a set of measures to help reduce the amount of pollutants being released into the air. This review was the first stage and dealt with domestic heating, outdoor burning, agrichemicals, fertilisers and fire training. The second stage of the review will address the remaining sections of the plan including industrial and trade discharges and odour.

We are taking an education-first approach, and making sure our community is aware of the effect that certain activities have on air quality.

Air Plan

The Regional Air Plan 2016 was adopted by Council on 5 October 2016. It introduces new rules in response to the Government’s health-inspired National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES) to address the region’s air quality issues.

The plan includes new rules for home heating, outdoor burning, the application of agrichemicals and fertilisers and fire training.

Download the Regional Air Plan 2016.

If you live in the Invercargill or Gore airsheds, the Regional Air Plan may require you to change your home heating. Any new burner being installed must comply with the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality. These are listed on the Ministry for the Environment's website (http://www.mfe.govt.nz/air/home-heating-and-authorised-wood-burners). You can continue to use your existing non-compliant burner until the dates listed here. To find out when your burner was installed, contact the Invercargill City or Gore District Council's building consents department.

Open fires

If you have an open fire, you are no longer permitted to use it within the Invercargill and Gore airsheds. This is effective from 1 January 2017.

Before 1 January 1997 Invercargill and Gore- Open fires can no longer be used
Burner installed 1 January 1997 - 1 January 2001 Invercargill and Gore - Your burner can no longer be used
Burner installed 1 January 2001 - 1 September 2005 Invercargill and Gore - Your burner can no longer be used

Burner installed 1 September 2005 - 1 January 2010*

Invercargill and Gore - You may use your burner until 1 January 2030.

Burner installed 1 January 2010 - 6 September 2014*

Invercargill and Gore - You may use your burner until 1 January 2034.

* If your wood burner was installed after September 2005 it may be on the Ministry for the Environment's list of approved wood burners and not require replacement.

Visit the Ministry for the Environment's website for a full list of approved burners

Burning baleage wrap and plastics is harmful and can reduce air quality on your farm and in our community.

AgRecovery: Not sure what to do with unwanted plastics on the farm? AgRecovery can help you recycle chemicals and plastics such as containers, silage wrap and crop protection netting.

Plasback CMC Contracting: Baleage wrap and plastics collection

Phone 027 317 7482 or email cmcplasback@xtra.co.nz

Waste Transfer Stations & Recycling Centres: See Wastenet Southland’s website for details of the waste transfer stations and recycling centres in Southland.

Digital resources

Warm Up Wisely - This guide offers key information on how to enjoy your wood burner safely, get the best heat out of your firewood and decrease the amount of smoke being released into the air.

Prohibited Fuels List - Download a list of fuels and materials that you are no longer allowed to use for home heating and outdoor burning.

MfE list of approved burners - Thinking about installing a new wood burner or replacing an existing burner? Check out the list of Ministry for the Environment (MfE) approved wood burners.

ECCA Energywise - Find out how warm, healthy and cost effective your home is. Warmer Kiwi Home funding from EECA can cover at least two-thirds of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation, plus there is now some funding available to help with clean heating options. If you're a homeowner, head to www.energywise.govt.nz/tools/warmer-kiwi-homes-too... to find out if you're eligible for a grant.

Southland Warm Homes Trust- Find out how you can create a warmer, healthier home. Get advice about insulation and heating options for your home.

Videos

Lumberjack Rob's top tips

Warmer Cheaper - Check out the great demonstration videos on lighting your fire.

Burn Smokefree - A short video showing the correct usage of a wood burner to maximise heating efficiency and minimise smoke.

NZ Home Heating Association- Some great videos here on getting the best out of your wood burner.

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