Key points
In the Waikato region, vehicles, home heating and industry are the main sources of air pollution. This indicator estimates the proportions of nitrogen oxides going into the air from each of these sources. Nitrogen oxides can cause respiratory problems in people and affect our environment by contributing to ozone loss, greenhouse gases and reduced visibility.
- Motor vehicles are the main source of nitrogen oxides in Hamilton, Tokoroa, Taupo Te Kuiti, Matamata, Putaruru, Ngaruawahia and Turangi.
- Industry is the main contributor to nitrogen oxide levels in Te Awamutu and Waihi.
- Domestic heating contributes around 2 to 13 percent of total nitrogen oxides produced at all ten sites.
Source: Environment Waikato
What agencies are doing
- Environment Waikato promotes vehicle maintenance and vehicle emissions testing.
- We encourage land use planning that minimises reliance on motor vehicles.
- We encourage the development of efficient and effective public transport.
- We provide information for householders on reducing air pollution from home fires.
What you can do to help
You can help reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides produced in urban areas by following these tips on car maintenance and use and home heating:
- Keep your car well tuned so that it burns cleanly and doesn’t create any visible smoke.
- Don’t remove any emissions control equipment from your car.
- Whenever possible, try to reduce your vehicle use, particularly during peak rush hour traffic. You could try carpooling, using public transport (trains, buses and shuttles), cycling and walking.
- If you’re thinking about installing home heating, consider using electric or flued gas heaters as an alternative to burning wood or coal.
- If you do purchase a solid-fuel burner make sure it is the right size to heat your home and find out about its efficiency and emissions rating.
- If you are burning wood or coal then the key to reducing air pollution from smoke is to burn small, hotter fires that produce less smoke. Check out our tips on using wood burners efficiently on our home fires page.
More information
More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.
What we want to achieve
The community outcomes we are seeking to achieve by monitoring the source of nitrogen oxide emissions to air are:
- The iconic landscapes and natural features of our environment define and sustain us. We respect and celebrate them as taonga.
- Our natural environment is protected and respected. Its ecological balance is restored, its air, soil and water quality is improved and its native biodiversity is enhanced.
- The traditional role of iwi and hapu as kaitiaki is acknowledged, respected and enabled.
- Our region’s waterways have consistently high water quality.