Nick Smith
27 September, 2011
Latest World Health Organisation figures
on air quality released today are out of
step with the Government's data, Environment
Minister Nick Smith says.
“The figures released by the World Health
Organisation differ from the data collected
through monitoring of air quality by New
Zealand’s regional councils complied by
the Ministry for the Environment. Environment
Ministry officials have contacted WHO to
clarify how it calculated its figures and
are awaiting a response,” Dr Smith said.
Preliminary analysis shows the annual averages
reported by WHO are in most cases much higher
than what the Environment Ministry reports.
“When our figures are used, all five of
the New Zealand cities mentioned in the
article had PM10 annual average levels below
the WHO guidelines in 2009. When the Ministry
figures are used, Dunedin is the only New
Zealand city to have PM10 annual average
levels higher than all of Australia’s major
cities,” Dr Smith said.
"I do find it odd that the WHO figures
show Auckland has the worst air pollution
in New Zealand when that is contrary to
all the historic data which shows our biggest
problem is in Christchurch.
“This Government is serious about improving
air quality which is why we are spending
12 times more on converting homes to clean
heating enabling 20,000 households to be
converted from old fires to heat pumps,
low-emission log burners and pellet fires.
Fuel and vehicle emission standards have
also been tightened and regional councils
have been imposing tighter restrictions
on industry.
“The WHO figures seem out of line with our
own records which show the average number
of air quality exceedances dropped to 3.5
in 2010 – the best level since nationwide
records began in 2000. That is why it’s
important we clarify with WHO how it reached
its conclusions.”
+ More
NZ environmental cooperation
with Chile grows
Nick Smith
27 September, 2011
Growing partnerships between New Zealand
and Chile on environmental issues will provide
long-term benefits, Environment and Climate
Change Minister Nick Smith says.
Dr Smith and Chilean Environment Minister,
María Ignacia Benítez, met
in Wellington yesterday to reaffirm a commitment
of both countries to work cooperatively
on environmental issues.
“Chile and New Zealand have many geographical
and climatic similarities. We both sit on
the earthquake-prone Pacific rim of fire,
have long mountain ranges, extensive coastlines,
active geothermal areas, and forests with
related plant species,” Dr Smith said.
“Our Government agencies, research and science
institutes, universities and businesses
work closely together and, through the Trans
Pacific Strategic Environment Cooperation
Agreement, we have a programme spanning
climate change, renewable energy and fresh
water management.
“Both New Zealand and Chile are members
of the 32-country Global Research Alliance
that is seeking the best ways to reduce
agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. New
Zealand also has significant experience
reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and
that’s why we are sharing our expertise
with Chile through a climate change inventory
project,” Dr Smith said.
“We also have world-leading expertise in
geothermal electricity development and we
are looking for opportunities internationally,
including in Chile, where Mighty River Power
is investing in a new plant.”
The Ministers discussed future opportunities
for both countries to work together and
released a joint statement which highlights
the value of the past activities between
both countries.
“I welcome the opportunity to deepen the
strong relationship between New Zealand
and Chile which will have flow-on benefits
for our economies and the environment,”
Dr Smith said.
