Why are we measuring this?
Waitaha Canterbury’s history of winter air pollution makes vehicle emissions monitoring key to keeping our air clean and our communities healthy. By analysing this data, we can understand the trends in air quality and its impact on public health, assess the effectiveness of current policies and initiatives to reduce vehicle emissions, and identify areas needing further improvement.
This measure was selected to track progress towards reducing the adverse health impacts of motor vehicle emissions, as outlined in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport and the Ministry of Transport Te Manatū Waka’s Outcomes Framework, as well as included in the Regional Public Transport Plan and the Regional Land Transport Plan. This measure also supports our strategic priority to promote sustainable and healthy living and working environments.
How do we measure the result?
We track premature deaths caused by NO₂ through the HAPINZ report. The HAPINZ report is informed by air quality data from regional and district councils across Aotearoa New Zealand, including Environment Canterbury’s air quality data. The report was commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment Manatū Mō Te Taiao and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), in partnership with the Ministry of Transport Te Manatū Waka and the Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora.
What work have we undertaken to contribute to this outcome?
Diesel buses are a source of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, including NO₂. Transitioning our fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) removes tailpipe emissions entirely, directly reducing the contribution of public transport to local air quality issues. We are aiming to have a net-carbon zero fleet by 2035 and have committed to a number of actions to transition to low emissions through our Climate Action Plan.
A new electric double-decker bus was added to the fleet in February 2026 for a 12-month trial. This is the country’s first lightweight electric double-decker making it the first vehicle of its kind in the country to operate without a special permit. The bus has been trialed on the Route 7 Halswell-Queenspark service and will be tested on several of Metro’s busier routes over the trial period, allowing us to assess its benefits and consider our options going forward.
In April 2026, Timaru’s on-demand public transport service, MyWay by Metro, became fully electric with the introduction of 10 new EVs, eliminating tailpipe emissions from this fleet and delivering quieter, cleaner journeys for the Timaru community. Six of the new vehicles are “Very Small Buses” (VSBs), a first for New Zealand, with the remaining vehicles similar to those already in service.
At the end of 2025/26, 26 per cent of our urban Greater Christchurch fleet and Timaru was electric.
We have also moved electric buses onto routes where they can travel the most kilometres. Together with the new vehicles described above, this means 31 per cent of fleet kilometres are now travelled by zero-emission buses, up from 29 per cent last year.
Through the Annual Plan 2025/26 process, we have had to delay funding for EV replacement and infrastructure as part of meeting government expectations around private revenue. This means we will not have funding available over the coming year to add additional EVs to the fleet.
Who else plays a role?
We can influence the reduction of vehicle emissions through public transport initiatives, promoting alternative modes of transport, and implementing policies that limit emissions from motor vehicles.
Partner councils, such as Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri District Council and Selwyn District Council, play a significant role by providing and maintaining the infrastructure required for public transport to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
National transport agencies, the Ministry of Cities, Environment, regions and transport (MCERT) and NZTA have the ultimate influence over public transport given their key roles around setting national transport policies and funding for public transport.
Where can I find more information?
Data is collected through the HAPINZ report, which includes comprehensive assessments of air pollution and its health impacts and is updated every 10 years.
Download the 2024/25 results for N1: Number of premature deaths in Canterbury due to NO₂ from motor vehicles is decreasing (PDF file, 159.9KB)
