Search all sites near me now
Search your favourite swimming spots

New Plymouth

New Plymouth is a coastal city lying due north of Taranaki Maunga (2815 m) and on the northern coastline of the Taranaki region.

The topography of the region consists of a ring plain surrounding Taranaki Maunga, with hill country running along the eastern side of the region, 20 km from New Plymouth at its nearest point. The hill country is sparsely populated. New Plymouth, with a population of 74,184, is the region's only major city. The region has an area of 723,610 square kilometres and a population and a population of 109,608 (2013 Census).

Town Summary
Air quality in this town

By comparison with other regions, Taranaki has a relatively low population density, an exposed landscape, minimal vehicle congestion and no significant industrial zones with air polution issues. The predominant fuel is natural gas, used in petrochemical industries and for thermal electricity generation. There is some domestic use of fire wood. Air quality monitoring had been conducted at intermittent intervals at various sites in New Plymouth. Previous monitoring sites for PM10 were located at New Plymouth Girls' High School, the corner of Devon Street and Currie Street, the New Plymouth District Council building, TSB Bank, Bayly Road and Pacific International Hotel Management School (PIHMS). Results from air quality monitoring showed that Taranaki has no significant air quality issues in relation to PM10.

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 6
Monitored sites in New Plymouth

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).

...retrieving sites.

No sites found.

Show more

Latest news and stories

Upcoming events