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Richmond

Richmond is the largest urban area within Tasman District. It is located on the Waimea Plain adjoining Tasman Bay and Nelson City. It has one monitoring site of PM10 and PM2.5.

Richmond has one air quality monitoring site, which was established in 2006 to measure PM10. It is located between commercial and residential land uses. The main state highway runs to the northwest. The site has a real time PM10 and PM2.5 monitor (Thermo 5028i BAM). Daily PM2.5 monitoring began at the site in late 2015, and became continuous monitoring in late 2018.

Two meteorological monitoring stations are located nearby - one approximately 370 metres to the southeast and another approximately 1350 metres to the north.

Town Summary
Air quality in this town

Since continuous monitoring commenced in 2006, PM10 exceedances of the 50 ug/m3 guideline have steadily reduced in number. In 2006 there were 35 days where PM10 was greater than 50 ug/m3. From 2018-2022, the average number of exceedances was 5 days. This has ranged from a high of 12 exceedances in 2018 to one exceedance in 2022. There were no exceedances in 2023, 2024, or 2025.

 

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.

    For Tasman the values above come from an emission inventory report for Richmond in 2025. Spatial studies for the Richmond area are in progress, with a NO2 study completed during Winter 2025, and a PM study planned for Winter 2026. 

Seasonal variation

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  • 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 for the year selected at the Richmond at Plunket site. Similar to many other 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 Richmond

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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