Your local council is most likely your first point of contact if you are concerned about pollution affecting you or the environment. Councils have powers to protect people and the environment from pollution, specifically contaminants that are discharged into air (eg, smoke), land (eg, chemicals) or water (eg, sediment).

It’s important to report it at the time, or very soon after, you see the pollution.

Some councils have pollution hotlines you can call. You can find the number by searching for your local council.

 Local councils in New Zealand - Internal Affairs website

Raising concerns with us

If you are not satisfied with the council’s response or action they have taken, you can contact us. We will contact the council, and will determine whether there is a role for the EPA. We can assist councils to investigate pollution incidents or investigate on their behalf.

Please tell us:

• the time and place you discovered the pollution
• what you told the council and how they responded
• why you are concerned.

Email us at investigations@epa.govt.nz.