CYCLONE GABRIELLE UPDATES: View our traffic map for the latest available information on road closures and delays.(external link)

SCAM ALERTS: Report a phishing scam or learn about the latest phishing emails

TRAFFIC UPDATES: Several roads have been impacted by recent weather events. We’ll provide updates on our Journey Planner website as information becomes available. View our traffic map for road closures and delays(external link)

SCAM ALERTS: Report a phishing scam or learn about the latest phishing emails

CONTACT CENTRE WAIT TIMES: Our Contact Centre is currently experiencing significant wait times. View frequently asked questions

ONLINE TRANSACTIONS: We are experiencing issues with credit and debit card transactions on our website. We are working with the payment provider to resolve this as soon as we can. 

CONTACT CENTRE WAIT TIMES: Our Contact Centre is currently experiencing significant wait times. View frequently asked questions

REGO AND RUC LABEL ERROR: There was a postage error with labels purchased on the 15 August 2022. Find out more

ROAD USER CHARGES (RUC) DISCOUNT: Find out more about the temporary RUC reduction scheme

ONLINE SERVICES: We are currently experiencing issues with all our online services at the moment. We are working to resolve the services as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

COVID-19 SERVICES UPDATE: Information on Waka Kotahi services, extensions and more

ONLINE SERVICES: We currently have an issue with receiving some payments and are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience.

EASTER WEEKEND – PLAN AHEAD: Heading away for the long weekend? Check our holiday journeys tool(external link)

SCAM ALERTS: Refund email and Vehicle licence (rego) renewal phishing emails

CONTACT CENTRE PHONE LINES: Our Contact Centre phone lines are currently unavailable. View frequently asked questions

Introduction

Transport-related air pollution impacts human health, with effects ranging from respiratory irritation, wheezing and coughing, through to more serious respiratory and cardiac conditions leading to increased hospitalisations and premature death. Air emissions play a role in shortening the lives of over approximately 3,300 New Zealanders each year and cause social costs of $15.6 billion per year (Health and air pollution in New Zealand 2016).

Air pollution can also reduce visibility and cause brown haze. Construction of land transport infrastructure can negatively affect air quality by creating dust and sometimes odours.

Of most concern to health are fine particles and oxides of nitrogen from vehicle tailpipes, and fine particles from brakes and tyres of vehicles. For more information about the causes and effects of air pollution, read our air pollution frequently asked questions.

Frequently asked questions about air pollution

We are committed to reducing the environmental and health effects of transport-related air pollution caused by our infrastructure by:

  • assessing and mitigating the air quality impacts of our land transport infrastructure during planning of new projects
  • mitigating negative effects on air quality where we can, for example installing ventilation in tunnels
  • managing dust and odour at our construction sites to ensure we don’t pollute the air or waterways
  • monitoring air quality near our land transport infrastructure, which allows us to monitor trends and impacts of interventions over time, and helps inform modelling, research and air quality policy.

We are also working to reduce the air pollution caused by vehicles that travel on our roads by:

  • investing in more sustainable modes of transport, which include walking, cycling and public transport
  • supporting the uptake of lower-emission vehicles such as electric vehicles
  • administering rules and regulations related to vehicle emission standards.

Walking, cycling and public transport
Electric vehicles
Environmental standards for vehicles

Air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions

Vehicles are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand. Reducing all emissions will benefit not only human health but also the health of the planet.

Climate change mitigation

Our policy

Our policy on air quality can be found in:

Specifications

Guidance

Tools

Templates

Research

Waka Kotahi research reports

Research stocktakes

Reports

Air quality reports

Tunnel reports

Remote sensing reports

External standards and guidance

Further information

For further information contact environment@nzta.govt.nz