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Kaitāia

Kaitāia is the northern most town in New Zealand. The main contributors to air pollution in the Kaitāia airshed originate from industrial discharge, home heating, backyard burning in residential areas and transport related emissions. 

The Kaitāia airshed encompasses the Kaitāia township as well as the residential and industrial areas. Kaitāia township covers approximately one quarter of the airshed area but is source of approximately 85% of the airshed’s total particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) emissions. Northland Regional Council established a permanent monitoring station at the back of its Kaitāia office building situated at Commerce Street and started monitoring PM10 and meteorology from March 2024. The site is surrounded by commercial area to the east, and residential areas to the west, north and south.  PM10 was monitored in Kaitāia at North Road site in 2015 using a mobile monitor. The main source of air pollution in the Kaitāia airshed originates from the local timber manufacturing plants situated on the northern outskirts of the town. Domestic home heating is another major contributor of PM10 emissions, especially during the cooler winter months.

Town Summary
Air quality in this town

No PM10 exceedances have been recorded in 2015 monitoring. PM10 concentrations are going to peak on winter evening cold, calm conditions. However, compliance with the NESAQ is expected to be achieved for Kaitāia airshed.

Sources of air pollution

Home heating Industrial Outdoor burning Traffic Indoor sources Natural sources
  • Show Hide
    • Sources of PM10 emissions
    • Sources of PM2.5 emissions
    • Sources of NOx emissions
    Source Annual percentage Winter day percentage
    Home heating Home heating {{emissions.annualhome}}% {{emissions.winterhome}}%
    Industrial Industrial {{emissions.annualindustry}}% {{emissions.winterindustry}}%
    Outdoor burning Outdoor burning {{emissions.annualoutdoor}}% {{emissions.winteroutdoor}}%
    Traffic Traffic {{emissions.annualmotor}}% {{emissions.wintermotor}}%
    Relative breakdown
    Annual
    Winter day

    The table shows the proportions of the main sources of PM10, PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in this town from home heating, industrial activities, outdoor burning and traffic.  (Indoor, natural and shipping sources are not included in this breakdown). 

    These values come from 2013 data sourced from MfE’s data service.  Consistent methodology was used to calculate these estimates of PM and NOx emissions, which allows comparison between towns throughout New Zealand.  Regional council or unitary authority published emissions information might differ if they were prepared in a different year or used another method. Contact your regional council or unitary authority for more information about PM and other emissions in your area.

Seasonal variation

  • Show wind speed
  • Show temperature
Showing:

PM10

PM2.5

Wind speed (km/h)

Air temperature (℃)

What is this graph showing me?

The graph shows the monthly average PM concentrations at one representative site in this town for the year selected. In many towns in New Zealand, PM peaks in the winter when air temperatures and wind speeds are lowest as more people heat their homes during colder weather, and still conditions mean that there is no wind to disperse the air pollutants.

Sites 1
Monitored sites in Kaitāia

Monitored sites in this town can be categorised according to location:

  • Residential: Air monitoring site is in a suburban area with a relatively high population density, but not close to a busy road or industry.
  • Traffic: Air monitoring site is very close to a busy road or intersection.
  • Industry: Air monitoring site is close to industry, including heavy commercial and processing factories.
  • Coastal: Air monitoring site is close to the coast where there are high levels of sea salt in the air.
  • NES: A site monitored for compliance with the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES-AQ).

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