Dunedin School Joins Community Air Quality Network

Kaikorai Valley College (KVC) has become the first school in Dunedin to contribute real-time air quality data to a public community network, giving residents and students access to information normally gathered only by councils and commercial stations.

The school’s new monitor is installed at the KVC Urban Farm — a hands-on learning space where students grow food, care for animals, and study environmental systems in the real world. The solar powered device captures live air pollution data in the Kaikorai Valley and publishes it openly online, helping both students and the wider community understand how local air quality changes throughout the year.

“I think air quality is something that is often ignored or simply forgotten,” says Joshua Smith, project lead and KVC alumnus. “Our network has already shown drastic differences in air quality during winter. This monitor will be a great learning opportunity for students, and I hope it sparks discussions about how air quality affects our community.”

Low-cost air quality monitors measuring fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon dioxide have been installed at a school for the first time, expanding a network previously limited to homes and businesses. The project is supported by AirGradient, which has helped supply the monitors, and ProSigns, which sponsored the on-site signage. By using affordable, open-hardware devices rather than commercial systems costing thousands per unit, the network makes community-led air quality monitoring possible without government funding. 

The on-site signage was designed by project lead Joshua Smith and installed by Cody and Tai, both former Kaikorai Valley College students, reflecting continued alumni involvement in supporting current students and community-led environmental initiatives.

KVC Urban Farm Teacher and AKV trustee Simon McMillan says the new sensor adds real value: “We are really pleased to see this addition to our Farm learning space. The data and the issues associated with air quality have cross-curricula applications. Moreover, hosting the sensor strengthens our links to our community. A win-win all around.”

Residents can view the live data online at akv.nz/info/air.

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