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Study reveals health impacts and social costs of air pollution

Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand is a study of health impacts and social costs of air pollution in 2016. 

Air, economic and health experts engaged by the Ministry for the Environment, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Health conducted the analysis for the study.  

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The study finds that human-generated air pollution in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2016 resulted in: 

  • the premature deaths of more than 3,300 adult New Zealanders. (31,179 New Zealanders died in 2016 from all causes – Stats NZ) 
  • more than 13,100 hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiac illnesses including 845 asthma hospitalisations for children 
  • over 13,200 cases of childhood asthma 
  • approximately 1.745 million restricted activity days (days on which people could not do the things they might otherwise have done if air pollution had not been present) 
  • $15.6 billion in social costs. 

It also reveals that motor vehicles were the biggest contributor to air pollution health effects in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2016.  

Health impacts from transport demand urgency in our transition to a low emissions future.  

Responsible management of our air quality requires: 

  • thinking long-term for future generations  
  • taking practical steps 
  • relying on all the evidence we must look after and improve our surroundings and our communities.  

Read the study to find out more 

Key findings infographic 

Read the targets and actions for transport in the emissions reduction plan

Read the media release from the Associate Environment Minister [Beehive website]