Aroha Kaikorai Valley Clean Air Network

The Aroha Kaikorai Valley (AKV) in New Zealand, began as a community group restoring the valley through planting, predator control, water quality projects, and education. Building on this work, AKV has added a new focus on air by creating the area’s first community-led monitoring network. With support from AirGradient, the group installed outdoor monitors across the valley to provide real-time data on local pollution.

Residents and businesses host the monitors, while AKV oversees their setup and use. The network has already highlighted how household fires contribute to spikes in winter pollution, sparking interest from locals, councillors, and scientists. By combining its broader environmental mission with open air data, AKV is giving the community new tools to better understand the air they breathe and inspiring others to take part in clean air action.