State of Environment 2009

Annual state of the environment summaries provide a record of environmental events during the year as well as specific investigations carried out.

Each resource section of the state of the environment reports highlights the key points, trends, work the Council is doing (including further research investigations), and ways the community can help protect and enhance our natural resources.

The summaries are prepared by Council scientists and other staff based on research reports, which can be useful for business and resource use planning.

The interim reports ensure the information being gathered is being reviewed on a regular basis, and to ensure that any information gaps that are identified can be filled in subsequent years through the Council’s long term community consultation planning process and ten year plan.   State of the Environment Reports have been produced since 1997.

On this page

Land Rainfall Patterns and River Flow Recreational Water quality Surface Water Quality Groundwater Quantity and Quality Air quality The coast

Land

• Soil moisture is monitored at several climate stations and the data can assist growers to respond with appropriate irrigation levels.
• Restoration of Pekapeka wetland has resulted in better water levels, fewer pest plants, more eels and healthier planting.  This will become an educational resource for the whole community. 

Rainfall Patterns and River Flow

• There were 4 extremely dry months in 2009, with less than half the normal rainfall.
• River flows were close to or below the long term average.

Recreational water quality

Surface Water Quality

• A comprehensive Council study of Napier streams has been completed, and stream ecological valuation method trialled.
• Many small streams are in poor health.
• Long term monitoring buoys have been deployed in Lake Tutira and Lake Waikaremoana to assess water values and climate change.

Groundwater Quantity and Quality

• The Heretaunga and Ruataniwha aquifers recorded some of their lowest ever measurements from January to September 2009.
• Groundwater levels recovered over the October to November period to within normal range and, in some cases, were above normal due to higher than average rainfall for the year.
• Groundwater quality sampled in this SOE programme is suitable for most purposes.
• Nitrate nitrogen can be found in concentrations above guideline levels in some shallow groundwater aquifers.

Air Quality

• PM10 is the most significant regional air quality issue, arising mostly from domestic home heating emissions (wood burners).
• Napier and Hastings air sheds can exceed the National Environmental Standards (NES) for air quality (PM10), usually in calm, cold winter conditions.
• A significant reduction in pollution levels is needed while ensuring Hawke's Bay residents have warm, healthy homes.
• Monitoring in Wairoa has shown some air quality standard exceedences; monitoring is underway in Greenmeadows, Napier.

The Coast

• Coastal water quality is generally very good for swimming and recreation; river swimming sites are more likely to be contaminated following periods of heavy rain.
• Fine sediments may be increasing within the Ahuriri Estuary.
• Estuary monitoring highlighted elevated levels of some contaminants associated with stormwater.  These were tested to see if they were affecting the health of animals living in the estuary sediments.
• Algal levels in Hawke's Bay coastal waters are within typical levels of New Zealand waters.