Thousands of deaths are still attributed to poor equality, despite overall improvements

The Our Air 2024 report shows the level of key pollutants - largely produced by transport and home heating - has reduced across most monitoring sites.

However, it also says, in some urban areas, the pollution is above national standards.

University of Auckland Senior Lecturer, Joel Rindelaub , says poor air quality accounts for more than 3000 premature deaths a year.

He says its more than melanoma, diabetes, colon cancer, and road accidents combined.