Meghan Hodges
New Zealand faces a variety of pollution issues, including air and water pollution. Air pollution in New Zealand is mainly caused by transport, domestic fires, and industrial activities, leading to increased health issues such as premature deaths, hospitalisations, and respiratory problems. Water pollution, on the other hand, is influenced by urban development, industrial wastewater discharge, and agricultural runoff, which contaminate waterways with nutrients, pathogens, sediments, and other pollutants. These types of pollution have significant impacts on the environment and public health, and addressing them is crucial for the well-being of New Zealanders and the preservation of the country's natural resources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution by nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | Levels of NO2 are usually higher and do not meet the WHO 2021 guidelines near major transport corridors in larger cities. |
| Air pollution by particulate matter (PM) | PM10: Coarse and fine particles (less than 10 micrometres) that can enter our airways. PM2.5: Very small particles (less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) that can get lodged deep in people's lungs and affect their health. |
| Water pollution by rural land use | Increase in water pollution due to rural land use, with agriculture being a significant contributor. |
| Water pollution by industrial use | Industrial processing frequently involves the discharge of process wastewater to waterways. |
| Water pollution by urban development | Urban runoff is polluted with detergents, waste oil, litter, and fecal matter. |
| Water pollution by stormwater | Stormwater in towns is contaminated with organic matter and nutrients, posing a risk to waterways. |
| Water pollution by E. coli | In 2020, a study found that almost every region in New Zealand exceeded bottom-line levels of E. coli in freshwater. |
| Water pollution by nitrogen | National bottom-line levels for nitrogen in freshwater were set in 2020, but many regions exceed these levels. |
| Social costs of air pollution | In 2016, social costs from human-made air pollution were estimated at $15.6 billion. |
| Health impacts of air pollution | In 2016, about 3,300 deaths were attributed to human-made air pollution, with motor vehicles being the largest contributor. |
| Air pollution sources | Transport, domestic fires, wind-blown dust, and industry are the main sources of air pollution. |
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What You'll Learn
- Air pollution: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) are harmful
- Water pollution: Diffuse pollution from nutrients, pathogens, sediments and stormwater
- Waterways impacted: Industrial waste discharged into rivers
- Road runoff: Vehicle emissions and road surfaces contaminate water
- Health impacts: Air pollution causes premature deaths, hospitalisations and restricted activity days
Air pollution: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) are harmful
New Zealand generally enjoys good air quality due to its low population density and island geography. However, air pollution is still a concern, especially regarding nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM).
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a harmful gas pollutant that often exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2021 guidelines near major transport corridors in larger cities. Vehicle emissions are the primary source of NO2 pollution, and it poses significant health risks. According to the HAPINZ 3.0 report, more than 60% of the over 3,300 deaths associated with anthropogenic air pollution in New Zealand were linked to NO2 pollution.
Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny airborne particles, both naturally occurring (e.g. dust, pollen, sea salt) and human-made (e.g. burning of fuels). The health impact of PM depends on particle size. Coarse particles (PM10) are larger than 2.5 but less than 10 micrometres in diameter and can enter our airways. Fine particles (PM2.5) are smaller than 2.5 micrometres and can penetrate deep into our lungs, with ultrafine particles even entering the bloodstream. PM2.5 is mostly generated by the combustion of fuels like wood, coal, and diesel and is considered more harmful.
In some parts of New Zealand, particularly during winter, people are exposed to high levels of PM, primarily from home heating with wood or coal. On cold, windless days and nights, PM levels can exceed national air quality standards. PM10 is the most commonly monitored air pollutant in New Zealand, but there is currently no national standard for PM2.5.
Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable to the health impacts of PM air pollution. While National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) for PM and WHO guidelines have been established to mitigate health risks, there is currently no known threshold below which health effects do not occur.
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Water pollution: Diffuse pollution from nutrients, pathogens, sediments and stormwater
Water pollution in New Zealand is a growing concern, especially with the increase in population. Diffuse pollution from nutrients, pathogens, sediments, and stormwater is a significant issue affecting the country's waterways.
Nutrients
Excessive nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, are common in many of New Zealand's rivers. These nutrients are often byproducts of fertilisers used in agriculture. Nitrogen levels tend to be naturally low in New Zealand's waterways, but when nitrogen enters the water through farm runoff, it triggers unwanted plant growth. Phosphorus is also a concern, with lowland rivers in agricultural areas showing high levels of dissolved reactive phosphorus.
Pathogens
Waterways in New Zealand are also contaminated with pathogens, including faecal microbes and E. coli. These pathogens can render shellfish unfit for human consumption, threatening the country's aquaculture industry. Regulatory requirements have been imposed on farmers to reduce environmental impacts, and some councils require farms to have Farm Environment Plans in place to manage environmental risks, such as discharges into waterways.
Sediments
Sediment runoff is another significant source of water pollution in New Zealand. Sediments from erosion, particularly in areas with high-intensity storms and heavy rainfall, have altered fluvial systems in NZ waterways. Sediment runoff can carry other pollutants, such as heavy metals, and can reduce water clarity. Sediment buildup can also smother plants and animal life in rivers and streams.
Stormwater
In urban areas, stormwater is a significant source of water pollution. Broken sewers and faulty connections can allow sewage to enter stormwater systems, contaminating water bodies. Urban areas, with their large paved surfaces, also increase the likelihood of water contaminated with organic matter entering waterways without being filtered through soils. Stormwater from timber treatment plants can contain dissolved zinc, lead, copper, and chromium, making water unsuitable for drinking.
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Waterways impacted: Industrial waste discharged into rivers
New Zealand has a history of industrial waste being discharged into its waterways, with a particular focus on its impact on rivers. As early as the 1940s, water pollution was a known issue, but it wasn't until 1953 that the Water Pollution Act was passed, establishing a Pollution Advisory Council. Despite this, it wasn't until 1963 that the council gained the power to actively monitor and control water pollution.
By the 1970s, industrial waste discharges had severely impacted some rivers, resulting in dead streams and highly polluted rivers in urban areas. One notable example is the Waiwhetū Stream in the Hutt Valley, which was polluted by industrial waste for over a century, earning it the title of the most polluted stream in the Wellington region.
Agricultural runoff, including sediment, fertilisers, and nutrients, has also contributed to river pollution in New Zealand. This has led to an increase in the sediment layer in sandy and muddy estuaries, affecting the health of the river ecosystems.
More recently, in 2019, there were plans by the Queenstown Lakes District Council to discharge wastewater, including industrial waste, into the region's lakes and rivers, specifically the Kawarau River. This proposal faced strong opposition from environmental organisations and the public due to concerns about the environmental and health impacts.
To address water pollution, environmentalists signed an accord with the dairy industry in 2003 to improve water quality by fencing and planting around rivers. While New Zealand has made progress since the 1950s when there were almost no sewage treatment systems, there is still work to be done to protect the country's rivers from industrial and agricultural waste.
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Road runoff: Vehicle emissions and road surfaces contaminate water
New Zealand's air quality is monitored by Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA), which tracks air pollutants from residential, industrial, and traffic sources. While the levels of gas pollutants typically meet the national standard, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels near major transport corridors in larger cities, such as Auckland and Wellington, often exceed WHO 2021 guidelines.
Road runoff is a significant contributor to water pollution in New Zealand. This type of pollution includes particles released by vehicle wear, such as tires and brake linings, as well as hydrocarbons from exhaust emissions and fuel/oil spills. Heavy metals, such as those found in car and truck exhaust, worn tires, and engine parts, are also present in road runoff. These contaminants can be washed into ditches, wetlands, and waterways during rain or snowmelt, directly impacting aquatic life and potentially contaminating groundwater.
In addition to vehicle emissions, road surfaces themselves can contaminate water sources. For example, de-icing salts and sand applied to roads in winter can run off into nearby water bodies. The application of road salts in snowy regions can be a major pollutant, as the salt-laden runoff can affect aquatic organisms and ecosystems.
The impact of road runoff on the environment is a complex issue that requires further research. While some studies have been conducted on the fate and effects of road runoff, more extensive investigations are needed to understand the risks posed by this type of pollution fully. Implementing best management practices, such as storm water retention ponds and sediment traps, can help mitigate the effects of road runoff on water quality.
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Health impacts: Air pollution causes premature deaths, hospitalisations and restricted activity days
Air pollution has a range of health impacts, including premature deaths, hospitalisations, and restricted activity days. In New Zealand, the health impacts of air pollution are significant, particularly in Auckland and Christchurch, with the lower South Island experiencing higher rates of premature deaths from air pollution.
One of the main contributors to air pollution in New Zealand is motor vehicles. In 2016, motor vehicles were the largest contributor to air pollution-related deaths, with 2,247 deaths attributed to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution from vehicle emissions. Nitrogen dioxide is a gas that can increase susceptibility to infections and asthma when inhaled. Fine particulate matter, on the other hand, can lodge deep in the lungs and lead to cardiovascular and respiratory problems, including lung cancer.
Domestic fires, such as wood and coal fires used for home heating, are another significant source of air pollution in New Zealand. These fires release fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other organic compounds into the air. In 2016, domestic fires were the second-largest contributor to premature deaths from air pollution, causing 962 deaths.
The health impacts of air pollution are not limited to premature deaths. Hospitalisations due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including childhood asthma, have been linked to air pollution. In 2016, there were an estimated 13,155 hospitalisations attributed to air pollution in New Zealand. Additionally, air pollution can lead to restricted activity days, where individuals are unable to carry out their usual activities due to the presence of air pollution. It was estimated that there were approximately 1.75 million restricted activity days in New Zealand in 2016 as a result of poor air quality.
Children, older adults, and people with pre-existing health conditions, such as cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution. The social costs of human-made air pollution in New Zealand were estimated to be $15.6 billion in 2016, reflecting the direct costs to the health system and the indirect costs associated with illness and deaths. Overall, air pollution has significant health, social, and economic impacts in New Zealand, highlighting the importance of improving air quality to protect the health and wellbeing of its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several types of pollution in New Zealand, including air, water, and soil pollution.
According to a 2016 report, the largest contributor to air pollution in New Zealand is motor vehicles, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions. Other sources include domestic fires, wind-blown dust, and industry.
Water pollution in New Zealand is an increasing concern. A study in 2020 found that almost every region in New Zealand exceeded safe "bottom line" levels for nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, and E. coli in its rivers, lakes, and estuaries. As of January 2019, Auckland was the region with the most polluted waterways.
