Winter 2025 marked a turning point for air quality in Tokoroa, thanks to a community-focused education campaign led by Waikato Regional Council. The initiative, which ran in Tokoroa and Te Kūiti, aimed to reduce harmful emissions from home heating by promoting better wood-burning practices.
This year, the Tokoroa airshed recorded just two PM10 exceedances, the lowest in five years. PM10 refers to fine particulate matter that can pose serious health risks, especially during winter when wood fires are common. Fewer exceedances mean cleaner air and healthier communities.
The campaign featured a range of activities designed to engage and educate:
- Surveys on wood storage and burning practices, with 103 Tokoroa residents participating.
- Informational leaflets delivered to households, explaining how to build smoke-free fires.
- Radio ads reaching listeners across the region.
- Multilingual posters displayed in community hubs, libraries and council offices.
- Dry firewood deliveries to priority households, supported by local partners including Raukawa and SWPICS.
The campaign was a timely reminder about the importance of burning dry wood.According to the Warm Home Clean Air website, wood smoke contains known carcinogens (substances that may increase the risk of cancer) and a range of chemical toxins, including carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Over time, inhaling wood smoke can cause breathing and even heart issues. It can have greater and more immediate impacts on children, the elderly and people with existing respiratory conditions like asthma. Burning dry, seasoned wood is key to reducing smoke and protecting our air.
For more tips visit https://warmhomescleanair.co.nz.
