Clean air is vital for supporting a healthy population and environment. The Canterbury/Waitaha region enjoys good air quality in most places at most times of the year.

Clean air and low levels of air pollution are vital to the health of people, our communities, and natural ecosystems, as well as contributing to visual and aesthetic values. For example, the clean air in the Mackenzie Basin provides excellent visibility of the night sky, which has received international recognition. Our rural areas have good air quality most of the time but burn-offs and other rural practices that create smoke, dust or spray drift can affect human and ecosystem health. Our towns and cities experience poorer air quality – particularly in winter, from home heating. Industry and transport also impact air quality, particularly in urban areas. 

Offensive, objectionable or noxious effects from odour, dust and other air contaminants are also, at times, serious air quality concerns in Waitaha. Here we look at the air quality issues facing our region that inform our planning framework.