Horizons Environmental Data team measures the concentrations (amount) of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 at the region’s two gazetted airsheds - Taumarunui and Taihape. An airshed is a legally defined geographic area for air quality management. When these areas were gazetted, air quality was known to breach the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (Air Quality NES) in these towns. These standards set the minimum level of air quality required to protect New Zealanders’ health. Greater concentrations of particulate matter in the air indicate poorer air quality.

# PM₁₀ trends Trend analysis of PM₁₀ concentrations in our airsheds since 2014 indicates that air quality in Taumarunui and Taihape is likely improving (Figure 2).

# PM₁₀ exceedances The Air Quality NES permits one exceedance of the PM₁₀ limit per year. An exceedance is an occasion when PM₁₀ concentrations are higher than the levels required to protect human health.

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 20px; text-align: center; padding: 20px;"> <div style="padding: 20px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); border-radius: 10px; width: 100%; max-width: 350px;"> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 5px; font-size: 16px; color: #333;">Taihape PM₁₀ trend</h3> <div style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: bold; color: #10b981;">Improving</div> <div style="font-size: 14px; color: #555; margin-top: 10px;">Trend rate: <strong>-0.4</strong> &mu;g/m&sup3 per year;</div> </div> <div style="padding: 20px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); border-radius: 10px; width: 100%; max-width: 350px;"> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 5px; font-size: 16px; color: #333;">Taumarunui PM₁₀ trend</h3> <div style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: bold; color: #10b981;">Improving</div> <div style="font-size: 14px; color: #555; margin-top: 10px;">Trend rate: <strong>-0.45</strong> &mu;g/m&sup3 per year;</div> </div> <div style="font-size: 14px; color: #555; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;"> Figure 2. Trend analysis of PM₁₀ concentrations in Taumarunui and Taihape between 2014 and 2025 </div> </div>

<div style="padding: 20px;"> <h2 style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 10px;">Taihape</h2> <div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 20px; text-align: center;"> <div style="padding: 20px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); border-radius: 10px;"> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 5px; font-size: 16px; color: #333;">Taihape PM₁₀ exceedances over the last 5 years</h3> <div style="font-size: 64px; font-weight: bold; color: #eab308;">1</div><div style="font-size: 12px; color: #333; margin-top: 5px;">Date of last exceedance:<br><strong>20/10/2023</strong></div></div> <div style="padding: 20px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); border-radius: 10px;"> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 5px; font-size: 16px; color: #333;">Taihape PM₁₀ exceedances last year (2025)</h3> <div style="font-size: 64px; font-weight: bold; color: #10b981;">0</div></div> </div> <hr style="margin: 20px 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;"> <h2 style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 10px;">Taumarunui</h2> <div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 20px; text-align: center;"> <div style="padding: 20px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); border-radius: 10px;"> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 5px; font-size: 16px; color: #333;">Taumarunui PM₁₀ exceedances over the last 5 years</h3> <div style="font-size: 64px; font-weight: bold; color: #10b981;">0</div></div> <div style="padding: 20px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); border-radius: 10px;"> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 5px; font-size: 16px; color: #333;">Taumarunui PM₁₀ exceedances last year (2025)</h3> <div style="font-size: 64px; font-weight: bold; color: #10b981;">0</div></div> </div> </div>