Air quality, pollution and odours
Air pollution consists of smoke, dust, gasses, vehicle emissions, odours and spray drift.
Where air pollution is impacting the air quality of an area in the wider Auckland, the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) can in most instances be called upon for action. The ARC investigates excessive emissions of smoke, dust and odour. They can also advise on methods to reduce air pollution. The ARC took over this function from our environmental health officers on July 1, 2007 and can be contacted on 366 2000.
The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) has the responsibility for air quality in the Auckland region (including North Shore City) and administers all air emission permits.
Please note that backyard burning from open fires and incinerators is no longer permitted in residential areas under the ARC Air Land Water Plan and the North Shore City Fire Prevention Bylaw.
| Incident | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Organisation | Telephone number | |
| Smoke from indoor and outdoor fires | Auckland Regional Council (ARC) | (09) 366 2000 |
| Smoke, dust or odours and spray drift from any premises | Auckland Regional Council (ARC) | (09) 366 2000 |
| Odours from sewer overflows and streams | North Shore City Council - Actionline | (09) 486 8600 |
| Smoke or other odours from food outlets for example roasting coffee beans or pizza ovens with chimneys | Auckland Regional Council (ARC) | (09) 366 2000 |
| Odours from a food shop such as a smelly fish shop where odours may be caused by rotting or dumping food. This excludes smoke or odours such as roasting coffee beans or pizza ovens with chimneys (see above). | North Shore City Council - Actionline | (09) 486 8600 |
| Odours from rubbish bins, dumped rubbish, dog or cat faeces and rotten food | North Shore City Council - Actionline | (09) 486 8600 |
| Dust coming from a building or sub-division site subject to consent conditions that include dust control. All other dust issues will be dealt with by the ARC | North Shore City Council - Actionline | (09) 486 8600 |
| Chemical odours, other odours, smoke and dust coming from and affecting a workplace | Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) | 0800 209 020 |
| Sanding or demolition of buildings with lead paint or asbestos released into the air | North Shore City Council - Actionline | (09) 486 8600 |
| OSH (workers involved) | 0800 209 020 | |
| If you spot a vehicle with a smoky exhaust, take the registration number and notify the police | Police | Local police station |
| Spraying for painted Apple Moth | MAF or Biosecurity | 909 3525 |
| Air pollution from vehicle emissions | Auckland Regional Council (ARC) | (09) 366 2000 |
Useful links
Auckland Regional Council website
Occupational Safety and Health - Department of Labour website
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) website
Biosecurity New Zealand website
New Zealand Police website
| Links |  |
 Environmental Health |
| Air quality |
| Dangerous goods |
| Food grading search |
| Food safety |
| Health nuisances |
| Mobile phone site safety |
| Noise control |
| Registering premises |
| Swimming pools |
| Useful links |