Tēnā koutou,

As 2024 draws to a close, we wanted to share some of the air quality wins we have achieved together this year. This final newsletter for 2024 highlights current air quality trends, work we’ve delivered this year and what's ahead. 

If you have feedback, ideas or topics you would like to see covered in future editions of this newsletter, please let us know by replying to this email. 

Air quality trends

Above: Graph showing the number of exceedances of the 24-hour limit for PM₁₀ detected in the Mount Maunganui Airshed since the monitoring programme was expanded across the industrial area in *November 2018. *We are in the process of making an exceptional circumstances application to Ministry for Environment for an exceedance on 3 October 2024.     

Above: Particle sample from the 3 October 2024 exceedance under the microscope. 

Sulphur dioxide

Monitoring of S0₂ (sulphur dioxide) shows significant reductions, reflecting the investment that some businesses have made in new technology and the use of low-sulphur fuels in shipping. This follows New Zealand’s adoption of Marpol Annex VI, a global agreement to reduce air pollution from ships.

Above: Graphs showing S0₂ monitoring at the Whareroa and Rata Street monitoring sites. The left axis shows hourly Mean SO₂.

Odour

Odour continues to feature in the majority of calls to the Pollution Hotline about air quality issues in the Mount Maunganui area. In 2024 (1 January to 10 December) the team responded to 264 calls about air quality, of which 73 mentioned a ‘bitumen’ or ‘asphalt’ type smell. 

Actions delivered in 2024

• Introduced new, stricter air quality rules for the Mount Maunganui Airshed, focused on addressing issues with fine dust (through the Plan Change 13 interim decision by the Environment Court). This includes new rules for bulk solid materials and proposed rules for unsealed yards (pending a decision by the court).  
• Received nine Dust Management Plans (including some ‘umbrella’ plans for multiple sites), outlining how fine dust will be minimised at sites subject to new rules. 
• Identified 87 unsealed industrial sites over 400m² that will be subject to upcoming rules designed to reduce dust emissions. While we propose that sites under 400m² remain permitted after the three-year interim period, they’ll need a Dust Management Plan to do so.
• Processed six air discharge resource consents, including the renewal of two bitumen manufacturing plant consents. Thanks to community participation and high quality submissions these consents require state of the art manufacturing plants and include robust conditions to manage odour.
• Held four Air Quality Working Party hui, bringing together key stakeholders to address air quality challenges collaboratively.
• Rolled out the 2024/25 Mount Maunganui industrial audit programme, focused on assessing environmental risks (including air quality) across the industrial area. This programme has been running for 13 years and the team are aiming to reach 300 businesses this summer.
• Expanded residential air quality monitoring with 11 additional sensors, making Mount Maunganui the most monitored area in the country in terms of air quality.
• Addressed gaps identified by the Toi te Ora health report by initiating Benzene monitoring at 20 sites (initial quarterly results show values are well below the annual guideline value).
• Industrial sites installed 12 additional air quality monitors (as required by the new IPAR rule through Plan Change 13).
• Introduced a new on-site odour monitoring process during bitumen plant start-ups to identify and address potential issues early.
• Substantiated 12 air quality complaints, issuing five abatement notices and three infringement notices.

It was also great to see Tauranga City Council progress the Mount Spatial Plan, integrating environmental priorities into future developments, and Priority One launch the Mount Maunganui Industrial Blueprint & Environmental Accord.

Looking ahead

While we celebrate the work delivered this year, challenges remain. Together, we’ll continue to build on the progress we’ve made, ensuring a healthier environment for everyone in our region.

This will include:

• Developing the Airshed Management Plan, as per the Environment Court’s suggestion.
• Progressing Policy 12, which is focused on improving air quality and ensuring the Mount Maunganui Airshed stops being a Polluted Airshed as soon as reasonably practicable.
• Reviewing how environmental data is shared to ensure its easier to interpret.

Thank you for your support and commitment to improving air quality. We look forward to working with you in 2025!