New Zealand annual guideline for PM10
Annual average PM10 levels take into account both peak and low pollution periods in an airshed, giving an important long-term picture of air quality. The New Zealand ambient air quality guidelines set an annual level for PM10 of 20 μg/m3.
A minimum 75 per cent data capture rate is recommended for an airshed to be able to accurately report an annual average. Three airsheds did not achieve this in 2010.
Current situation
In 2010, 41 of the 44 monitored airsheds were able to report an annual average for PM10. Thirty-four of the 41 airsheds (83 per cent) met the New Zealand annual guideline for PM10. The seven airsheds that did not meet the guideline were Timaru (32 μg/m3), Otago 3 (25 μg/m3), Otago 1 and Invercargill (24 μg/m3), Reefton (23 μg/m3), Richmond and Kaiapoi (21 μg/m3).
Annual average PM10 levels compared to the annual guideline, 2010
Read table of data of this graph
| Airshed | Annual average PM10 (μg/m3) |
|---|---|
| Timaru | 32 |
| Otago 2 | 25 |
| Invercargill, Otago 1 | 24 |
| Reefton | 23 |
| Kaiapoi, Richmond | 21 |
| Ashburton, Geraldine, Nelson B, Waimate | 19 |
| Nelson A, Rotorua, Tokoroa | 18 |
| Christchurch, Gore, Hastings, Rangiora | 17 |
| Kumeu, Te Kuiti | 16 |
| Auckland, Napier, Taumarunui | 15 |
| Blenheim, Lower Hutt, Putaruru, Taupo | 14 |
| Hamilton City, Helensville, Matamata, Ngaruawahia, Wairarapa, Wellington, Whangarei | 13 |
| Porirua, Waiheke Island, Waihi | 12 |
| Taihape, Turangi, Upper Hutt, Wainuiomata | 11 |
Data sources: Auckland Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, Environment Southland, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council, Marlborough District Council, Nelson City Council, Northland Regional Council, Otago Regional Council, Tasman District Council, Waikato Regional Council, West Coast Regional Council.
Trend in cities
Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington have consistently met the annual guideline of 20 μg/m3 since monitoring at these sites begun. However, PM10 levels at the Christchurch (particularly in earlier years) and Dunedin sites have commonly exceeded the guideline.
In 2010, annual average PM10 levels decreased at the Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch sites and remained the same at the Wellington site, when compared to 2009 results. The annual average level increased at the Dunedin site.
Annual average PM10 levels at indicator sites in the five main centres of population
* Note: Data capture for these years is less than 50 per cent.
Read table of data of this graph
| Year | Christchurch (µg/m3) | Wellington(Upper Hutt, (µg/m3) | Hamilton(µg/m3) | Dunedin (µg/m3) | Auckland(µg/m3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 22 | ||||
| 1991 | 24 | ||||
| 1992 | 36 | ||||
| 1993 | 34 | ||||
| 1994 | 30 | ||||
| 1995 | 26 | ||||
| 1996 | 25 | ||||
| 1997 | 33 | 24 | 19 | ||
| 1998 | 29 | 15 | 23 | 15 | |
| 1999 | 28 | 15 | 27 | 15 | |
| 2000 | 23 | 15 | 21 | 14 | |
| 2001 | 29 | 14 | 16 | 24 | 14 |
| 2002 | 24 | 14 | 16 | 21 | 17 |
| 2003 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 22 | 17 |
| 2004 | 24 | 12 | 17 | 20 | 19 |
| 2005 | 20 | 9 | 14 | 21 | 17 |
| 2006 | 21 | 12 | 17 | 25 | 18 |
| 2007 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 18 |
| 2008 | 20 | 11 | 15 | 24 | 17 |
| 2009 | 18 | 11 | 14 | 20 | 16 |
| 2010 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 25 | 15 |
Data sources: Auckland Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, Environment Waikato, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Otago Regional Council.
Last updated: 2 August 2011
