A cold start to winter means that national air quality standards have been exceeded five times in Hastings, almost half the number as over the whole of last winter.
The limit of smoke particles allowed in the air was exceeded in Hastings this winter on May 23, 24 and 30,and then June 1 and 2. Last winter, Hastings went over the limit 12 times and Napier four.
The National Environmental Standard (Nes) for air quality sets an acceptable limit for smoke particles in the air (measured as PM10) of 50 micrograms of PM10 per cubic metre.
From September 2016 the Nes will require this limit to be exceeded only once a year in Napier and no more than three in Hastings, reducing to only one a year by September 2020.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council has been working with the community to improve the air quality around Hawke's Bay cities in winter. The organisation has also been processing applications for Heat Smart loans and grants which help home owners to upgrade their insulation and home heating. The use of open fires has been banned since the beginning of the year and older, inefficient wood burners are being phased out.
"More than 2000 home owners in Hawke's Bay have now made the move to warmer, healthier homes," said the regional council's Heat Smart manager Mark Heaney.
"Despite there being a greater air pollution problem in Hastings, more Napier people than Hastings people have been applying for the scheme but recently Hastings has started catching up."
The air pollution problem is caused by smoky air being trapped close to the ground by inversion layers that form in the atmosphere in cold, low wind conditions. The smoke is a health issue, especially for people with respiratory problems.
"More people are reporting to us that they now notice when there are smoky conditions around their neighbourhoods. This awareness is good as it means attitudes are changing about out-dated heating and wood burning habits," said Mr Heaney.
