Monitoring airborne pollen in New Zealand

Against a backdrop of increasing pollen allergy prevalence, this paper reviews the current state of knowledge of allergenic pollen loading in New Zealand. An unavoidable conclusion is that relevant available datasets are fragmentary, incomplete and out-of-date, with the last nationwide survey conducted >30 years ago. In contrast, many other developed regions continue to provide routine, standardised pollen reporting and forecasting to assist with the management and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and related diseases, which affect a large proportion of the population. The data also inform wider research including investigating allergic rhinitis co-association with other health issues and monitoring and projecting the impacts of climate change on pollen production and dispersal; fundamental biological processes that underpin most life on Earth. New Zealand is lagging well behind other regions in realising these benefits by failing to implement a programme of routine aeroallergen monitoring at major population centres. The data generated would also help to answer some pressing questions in relation to respiratory disorder in New Zealand and in particular whether the timing and severity of key pollen allergens are changing and new sources are establishing as a result of climate change.