Air
Find out about the state of our air, the pressures that contribute to this state, and the impact on us.
Statistics about air come from New Zealand's Environmental Reporting Series, which we produce with the Ministry for the Environment. The series consists of reports and indicators on five environmental domains.
The air domain comprises the shallow gas layer that surrounds Earth above ground level. Natural and human-made sources – such as emissions from home heating, transport, and industrial activities – contribute to pollutants in the air.
Environmental reporting series: Reports on air
These reports give information on the state of New Zealand's air. They are published on the Ministry for the Environment's website.
New Zealand's environmental reporting series: Our air 2021 – final release
New Zealand's environmental reporting series: Our air 2021 – preliminary data release presents information on the state of New Zealand's air.
New Zealand’s environmental reporting series: Our air 2018
Reports on the state of New Zealand's air. This is part of New Zealand's Environmental Reporting Series, which is co-published by Stats NZ and the Ministry for the Environment.
New Zealand's environmental reporting series: Environment Aotearoa 2015
Environment Aotearoa 2015 presents information about our air, atmosphere and climate, fresh water, land, and marine environment, with the theme of biodiversity across these domains.
Environmental reporting series: Air indicators
These indicators support the reports with technical information and interactive maps and graphs.
Wildfire risk: Data to 2023
Ground-level ozone concentrations: Data to 2023
Sulphur dioxide concentrations: Data to 2023
PM₁₀ concentrations (air quality): Data to 2023
Carbon monoxide concentrations: Data to 2023
PM₂.₅ concentrations (air quality): Data to 2023
Nitrogen dioxide concentrations: Data to 2023
Human health impacts of PM₂.₅ and NO₂
PM₁₀ concentrations – published October 2022
PM10 concentrations improved at 24 of 35 sites in New Zealand between 2011 and 2020.
PM₂.₅ concentrations – published October 2022
Nitrogen dioxide concentrations – published October 2022
Nitrogen dioxide concentrations improved at 65 percent of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency monitoring network sites (72 of 110) in New Zealand between 2011 and 2020.
Sulphur dioxide concentrations – published October 2022
Ground-level ozone concentrations – published October 2022
Ground-level ozone concentrations at both Patumahoe and Wellington Central were within the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality short-term standard and the eight-hour and peak season World Health Organization guidelines between 2017 and 2020.
Carbon monoxide concentrations – published October 2022
Air pollutant emissions
PM₂.₅ concentrations – published October 2021
PM₁₀ concentrations – published October 2021
Carbon monoxide concentrations – published October 2021
Nitrogen dioxide concentrations – published October 2021
Ground-level ozone concentrations – published October 2021
Sulphur dioxide concentrations – published October 2021
Wildfire risk – published October 2020
PM₁₀ concentrations – published October 2018
Carbon monoxide concentrations – published October 2018
Ground-level ozone concentrations – published October 2018
Sulphur dioxide concentrations – published October 2018
Nitrogen dioxide concentrations – published October 2018
PM₂.₅ concentrations – published October 2018
Air pollutant emissions – published October 2018
Heavy metals
Artificial night sky brightness
Black carbon concentrations
Benzene concentrations
Health impacts of PM₁₀ – published October 2018
Natural sources of particulate matter
Ozone hole
The ozone hole reaches its maximum annual size, and minimum ozone concentration, during the Southern Hemisphere spring.
Latest publications about air
Greenhouse gas emissions (industry and household): December 2024 quarter
The quarterly greenhouse gas emissions account provides timely estimates of New Zealand’s gross production-based emissions, using estimates from the annual greenhouse gas emissions by industry and household account and indicators to estimate emissions on a quarterly basis.
Greenhouse gas emissions fall 2.0 percent in the December 2024 quarter
Seasonally adjusted industry and household greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Aotearoa New Zealand decreased 2.0 percent in the December 2024 quarter.
New Zealand’s environmental reporting series: Our environment 2025
New Zealand's environmental reporting series: Our environment 2025 presents information on the state of New Zealand's environment.
Environment report shows human activities are driving changes affecting health, livelihoods and homes
The way New Zealanders choose to live is continuing to have a significant impact on the environment, affecting our health, quality of life, homes and livelihoods in both positive and negative ways.
Tools with data about air
How are my region’s emissions tracking?
Find out which industries contribute to your region’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental indicators
View indicators and trends across five environmental domains and the cross-domain area of biodiversity.
