In 2020, the Government proposed amendments to some provisions of the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES). Consultation on the proposed amendments was held from February to July 2020.
The aim of these amendments is to better control the release of fine particles into our air. The proposed amendments also include controls on mercury emissions. These would help us meet our obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Timeframes for the proposed amendments to the National environmental standards for air quality are subject to the release of new evidence. This includes the updates to the World Health Organisation guidelines and the Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand study. These are expected to be released mid-late 2021.
Read the proposal
Read the summary of submissions
Find out more about the consultation