Plastic pollution in Te Taitokerau /Northland

Plastic pollution pervades globally, affecting oceans, air, and mountains. Despite its ubiquity, limited knowledge exists on local plastic pathways. This Story Map showcases collaborative efforts by Northland Regional Council, Crown Institutes, iwi, hapū, global researchers, and organisations studying plastic pollution impacts and pathways in Te Taitokerau (Northland).

The following details stormwater and beach litter surveys, focusing on macroplastics (larger than 5 mm). It also covers surveys on microplastics (smaller than 5 mm), conducted in areas near or chosen for their high recreational activity and geographical distribution across Te Taitokerau.

Plastic entering waterways fragments into microplastics, consumed by plankton and enter the marine food chain via being eaten by larger prey. Marine mammals, turtles, and seabirds can be entangled in larger macroplastics like abandoned fishing nets. Furthermore, a 2019  study  estimated that humans consume between 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles per year depending on age and sex through a variety of pathways like fresh foods and processed foods.

The flipbook below shows:

How plastic production is increasing globally Plastic types (polymers) Recyclability Plastic pollution pathways

Click on the left or right arrows to scroll or expand by clicking on the four arrow icon (bottom right corner).

Click below to view a summary dashboard of the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) waste statistics, which includes data about Aotearoa - New Zealand's waste management practices and emissions from the waste sector.

Northland Regional Council and its partners conducted two MACRO and four MICRO plastic surveys and studies. These are displayed below to show how plastic items can flow from a carpark, enter our waterways, and our marine environment.

To estimate how much plastic is reaching our rivers and estuaries each year, Northland Regional Council collaborated with NorthTec - Te Pūkenga, Whitebait Connection, Whangārei District Council, Far North District Council, Kaipara District Council and Northland District Health Board to install  LittaTraps ^TM   throughout the region.

Northland Regional Council collaborated with M2M Consulting, examining urban stormwater in Whangārei and five other northland locations. Supported by various stakeholders, 51 LittaTraps (catch basin inserts) were installed at 16 different land use types. Quarterly audits from March to December 2021 quantified litter content, identified high-risk land uses, and estimated the annual plastic and litter load discharged into aquatic environments. Data categories align with Litter Intelligence, and results are in their database. In 2022, Northland Regional Council committed to continue monitoring 10 of the original 51 sites.

Below is an interactive map showing the various district locations of where LittaTraps ^TM  were installed. Simply click on your preferred location to see additional information on landuse categories and number of installed LittaTraps ^TM .

Click below to view the 2021 TVNZ Breakfast interview on our LittaTrap ^TM  project.

Click below to read the 2023 Report on our LittaTrap ^TM  project.

Litter Intelligence was developed by Sustainable Coastlines in 2018 through collaboration with Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ), the Department of Conservation (DOC), and MfE funding, facilitating community data collection and anti-litter initiatives. This platform offers scientifically rigorous Tier 1 litter data from numerous survey sites nationwide, aligning with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)  Guidelines  on Survey and Monitoring of Marine Litter, and makes data publicly accessible online, helping to inform solutions for a world without litter.

Northland Regional Council adopted Litter Intelligence in 2019. Quarterly surveys are conducted at two sites along the Hātea River and Whangārei Harbour with an additional 16 popular recreational beaches monitored during the summer across Te Taitokerau.

The map below shows the two Northland Regional Council Litter Intelligence sites with the upper reaches of Whangārei Harbour. Simply click on your preferred site to read more information on that location.

Click below to view data display for stormwater, freshwater, and beach litter surveys across Aotearoa - New Zealand, Te Taitokerau, and the South Pacific.

For Data Results, select Survey Type, Country (New Zealand), and Region (Northland) using the filters for automatic updates.

For Insight Results, change the location to New Zealand > Northland and apply the filter, then access Beach, Freshwater, and Stormwater tabs above the filters.

In collaboration with iwi, hapū, and  Scion , Northland Regional Council assessed microplastic distribution in Te Taitokerau's beach sediments, contributing to the  Aotearoa Impacts and Mitigation of Microplastics  (AIM ² ) initiative. This project aims to comprehend microplastic distribution in Aotearoa - New Zealand, assess risks to ecosystems, people, animals, and suggest solutions through outreach and education.

Northland Regional Council collected sediment samples from 11 diverse sites, including open coast, dune lake, and estuarine locations, between November 2019 and February 2020. These sites were chosen based on geographic factors and recreational use, with samples analysed by Scion. The project received support from multiple iwi and hapū groups.

Watch the video below on how we collected beach sediment samples.

The map below shows the Northland Regional Council microplastic in beach sediment sites. Simply click on your preferred site to read more information on that location.

Click below to read the 2021 Microplastic contamination in Te Tai Tokerau - Northland (Aotearoa - New Zealand) beach sediments report.

 Blue Cradle  and researchers from six Aotearoa - New Zealand institutions collaborated to assess microplastic pollution in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Also, to investigate impacts on ecosystems and industries, and explore mitigation strategies.

Part of the AIM ²  project, funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour Research Programmes Fund (MBIE), this initiative conducted a June 2021 expedition in the Hauraki Gulf and along Te Taitokerau's east coast. Seven sites were studied with three manta net trawls at each, primarily in the Te Pēwhairangi - Bay of Islands and Whangārei Harbour. Northland Regional Council advised on trawl locations based on the microplastic sediment study and populated areas, with  ESR  (Institute of Environmental Science and Research) conducting the analysis.

Watch the video below showing Blue cradle and its partners undertaking marine trawls and other projects.

The map below shows the marine trawl locations in Te Taitokerau marine waters.

Northland Regional Council collaborated with  NIWA  (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research). This was part of a global lakes microplastics study (known as the GALATIC (GlobAl LAke miCroplasTICs project) to collect samples from Lake Taharoa, a rare dune lake ecosystem in Te Taitokerau and 37 other lakes across 22 countries. This effort was supported by the Taharoa Domain Governance Committee.

Watch the video below on Lake Tahoe, which recorded the third highest concentration of microplastics.

Click below to read the 2023 Plastic debris in lakes and reservoirs report (GALATIC study).

Under the AIM ²  project, Northland Regional Council collected shellfish specimens in 2020 to ascertain: a) if microplastics were present and at what concentration, b) what polymer types were present, and c) the shape and colour of observed microplastics. Three species, pipis (P. australis), cockles (A. stutchburyi), and wedgeshells (M. liliana), from four locations within the region were selected.  A total of 15 to 20 individuals per site were sent to ESR for analysis. This project was supported by local hapū and iwi.  

Explore the map below to see where and what shellfish specimens were collected along with location details. Simply click on your preferred site to read more information on that location.

An estimated 9.4 million plastic items are discharged annually from surveyed stormwater networks.

12,397 plastic and foamed plastic items collected 2019 - 2023 during beach litter surveys, Whangārei Harbour.

Microplastic was found in beach sediments, marine and lake trawls, and all shellfish species.

The infographic below shows key findings from the two MACRO and four MICRO plastic surveys and studies.

Stormwater litter loading rates varied significantly between land use categories. A total of six high risk land uses were identified: ‘Fast food’, ‘Retail’, ‘Hospital’, ‘Playgrounds/skateparks’, ‘Car parks’ and ‘Transport, postal and warehousing’.

Plastic pollution and its pathways in Te Taitokerau are consistent with global studies. Plastic litter, accidentally or intentionally, enters stormwater networks then waterways where it 'breaks up' into smaller particles. Plastic  fibres  sourced from rope, clothing, or textiles were commonly found shapes in this microplastic research.

Plastic fragments were the next most common shape found in these microplastic studies. Hard plastic fragments were commonly found in our LittaTrap ^TM  and beach litter surveys.

Plastic polymers polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) were commonly found in our microplastic studies. These are also the  easiest  to recycle numbers (1, 2, and 5) in Aotearoa - New Zealand.

The infographic below shows how different plastic polymers either sink (e.g. PET) or float (e.g. PP) in marine waters.

Research shows that microplastic colours in several  Aotearoa  and  South Pacific  marine fishes were predominately black or blue, while shellfish mainly ingested clear or blue. Hard microplastic fragments follow a similar trend. Dyeing plastics imparts specific properties, aiding identification of contamination sources. In Aotearoa - New Zealand, fish and baleen whale scats commonly display black and blue, contrasting with clear in common dolphins, aligning with Te Taitokerau marine trawl samples.

Examples of microplastics collected in Te Taitokerau marine trawls. (PET, top left); Acrylic (Top right); (PE, bottom left); and (PP, bottom right).

Click below to view how microplastic can enter foodwebs and consumers' plates.

Plastic pollution, despite widespread recognition, is still growing and will persist for centuries even if humans stopped producing and using plastics today. Plastic demand drives global transport, risking pollution. Sea transport poses major risks like nurdle spills and lost plastic items. Therefore, reducing consumption crucially mitigates pollution. Acquiring only necessary items significantly decreases plastic's lifecycle pollution from extraction to disposal.

Ultimately, humans are responsible for plastic production and the associated pollution via the use of plastic-enabled products. This is a global issue anchored in systems of production and consumption in a linear economic model, where plastic items are convenient and waste management practices and infrastructures are often absent or inadequate.

Promote Plastic Alternatives e.g. Encourage the use of sustainable materials through  education  campaigns and  action 

Hold Plastic Producers Responsible e.g. Encourage transparency in the lifecycle of plastic products, from production to disposal

Advocate Sustainable Production and Consumption e.g. Encourage businesses to adopt eco-friendly  practices  in their operations

Implement Economic Incentives e.g. Foster a circular economy by rewarding responsible disposal and recycling practices

For Our Real Clean Environment  F.O.R.C.E  run the ‘Love Whangārei Monthly Clean Ups’ at different locations around Whangārei. Or perhaps start one in your community?

 Sea Cleaners  remove rubbish from the sea, harbours and oceans.

Click below to view litter data and learn how to track litter yourself or in a group

Click below to check out the Northland Regional Council Coastal Litter Monitoring page