No images? Click here
Welcome to the first air quality update for 2026.
It has now been more than two years since the last confirmed PM10 exceedance in the Mount Maunganui Airshed (19 March 2024). This is a positive milestone and reflects the ongoing effort by industry and councils to improve air quality outcomes. After five years with no breaches of the National Environmental Standards, the polluted status of the airshed will be reviewed.
Air monitoring
Regional Council spends around $500,000 each year monitoring air quality across the Bay of Plenty. The majority of this investment is used to fund a network of highly accurate, reference-grade monitors in the Mount Maunganui Airshed to track long‑term air quality trends.
In February 2024, additional air quality ‘indicator’ sensors were installed in nearby residential areas to provide real‑time information. To make better use of these sensors and improve air quality coverage across the region, these sensors are in the process of being redeployed to locations where there is currently no monitoring equipment, or where additional data will add value.
This change will not affect the council’s reference‑grade monitoring network or long‑term data trends.
For more information about this review, please contact info@boprc.govt.nz .
Calls to the Pollution Hotline
From 1 January to 31 March 2026, we received 23 calls to the 24/7 Pollution Hotline about air quality issues in the Mount Maunganui Airshed. Of these, 19 related to odour. The key odour complaints are still related to bitumen manufacturing which we look forward to seeing reductions when Allied Asphalts and Higgins new plants or upgrades are fully commissioned.
Particulate matter (dust)
On 11 April, following large swells and strong onshore winds that arrived as part of Cyclone Vaianu, an exceedance of the National Environmental Standards for PM10 was recorded at the Ranch Road monitoring site (outside the Mount Maunganui Airshed), and another at the Rata Street site (within the airshed boundary). Both exceedances are suspected to be caused by heavy salt laden sea spray which was covering the Mount Maunganui area.
We are in the process of applying to the Minister for the Environment for these exceedances to be considered as exceptional circumstances due to the recorded meteorological conditions and history of local exceedances caused by sea spray. Note, the Minister has approved all similar applications in the past.
You can view verified industrial air quality data here (desktop only).
Dust Management Plans now overdue
As required by the Environment Court, all unsealed sites within the Mount Maunganui Airshed must have a Dust Management Plan in place. The level of detail required depends on the size of the unsealed yard and the likelihood of dust being generated. These plans were due by 28 February 2026.
Our Regulatory Compliance Team is now working with those businesses who have not yet submitted a plan and is focused on helping them get this completed.
If this applies to you, please contact Senior Regulatory Project Officer Sam Weiss at sam.weiss@boprc.govt.nz as soon as possible. He can talk you through:
- The Unsealed Yard Dust Management Plan Guideline
- The Unsealed Yard Dust Management Plan template
- Map of Sensitive Sites in the Mount Maunganui Airshed
In addition to the Dust Management Plan, properties with unsealed yards over 400m2 will need resource consent by April 2028.
Consenting updates
Here is a quick summary of consent updates:
Lawter NZ Ltd
The consent granted by an independent Commissioner panel in early May 2025 has been appealed by Ngāti Kuku. The parties are continuing discussions around consent conditions and alternative emissions‑reduction technology.
Ballance Agri‑Nutrients
Ballance has lodged a section 127 variation to remove consent conditions relating to manufacturing activities that no longer occur at the site. The consent now authorises only emissions from fertiliser storage and handling. The variation was processed on a non‑notified basis.
IXOM Operations Pty Ltd
IXOM has renewed its air discharge consent for its Totara Street facility. Some previously consented activities, including sodium hydrosulphide production and food powder processing, no longer occur on site. Discharges are contained within buildings and treated through scrubbers. Consent was granted on a non‑notified basis on 9 February 2026.
Regional Delivery and Evaluation Committee
The Mount Maunganui Industrial Programme reports to the Regional Delivery and Evaluation Committee. Notes from the previous meeting can be found here. The next meeting is scheduled for 23 June 2026.
Mount Air Quality Working Party
The next Mount Air Quality Working Party is scheduled for 13 May 2026. Notes from the previous meeting can be found here.
Did someone forward this newsletter to you?
Click subscribe to receive the next edition straight to your inbox.
For more information on Mount Maunganui industrial air quality, please visit www.boprc.govt.nz/mountindustrial
