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Hamilton

Hamilton is the Waikato region’s main urban area and has two monitoring sites.

Hamilton currently has two active residential PM10 monitoring stations. The main residential station is at the Claudelands Event Centre on Heaphy Terrace on the eastern side of Hamilton. Prior to 29 May 2019, PM10 was measured here using an FH 62 BAM along with collection of meteorological data. Since 30 May 2019, PM10 and PM2.5 have been measured using a Teledyne API T640x. The Bloodbank station is a secondary PM10 monitoring station, more influenced by traffic and industry sources. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has also been monitored at this station on a continuous basis since 1 June 2020. It is next to the NZ Blood Service at the Waikato Hospital on the corner of Ohaupo Road and Lorne Street on the western side of Hamilton. From November 1997 to October 2013, PM10 was measured at a monitoring station on Peachgrove Road on the eastern side of Hamilton. Short term survey monitoring of PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO and O3 has also occurred in Hamilton from time to time prior to 2020. Six long term traffic sites were also used for monitoring benzene from 2003 to 2021.

Town Summary
Air quality in this town

PM10 exceedances have occurred from time to time but the Hamilton airshed is currently not classified as polluted under the National Environmental Standards. The main source of poor air quality during winter is from home heating using wood. However, traffic can also be a significant source of poor air quality especially near busy intersections.

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

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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 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 8
Monitored sites in Hamilton

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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