New Air Quality Monitor Installed at Kaikorai Valley College Urban Farm
A new air quality monitor has been installed at the Kaikorai Valley College Urban Farm. This is the twelfth monitor in the Aroha Kaikorai Valley air quality network and the first to be hosted by a school in Dunedin.
The monitor collects real-time air quality data at the Urban Farm, building a clear picture of air quality across the Kaikorai Valley. Students, staff, and residents can track how pollution levels change throughout the day and across the seasons.
A First for Schools in Dunedin
Kaikorai Valley College is the first school in the city to contribute live air quality data to the community network. The monitor is located at the KVC Urban Farm, a hands-on learning space where students grow food, care for animals, and explore environmental systems in a real-world setting.
“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 discussion about how air quality affects our community.”
Community Supported and Open
The monitor was provided by AirGradient, an open-hardware air quality company that supports accessible community-led environmental monitoring. This is the first solar-powered AirGradient monitor in the AKV network, making it well-suited for outdoor and educational spaces.
Signage for the installation was sponsored by ProSigns and installed by Tai and Cody. A protective mounting cage was built by Tony to securely house the device and help prevent vandalism.
Unlike traditional air quality stations that can cost thousands of dollars per unit, these lower-cost sensors make it possible for communities to collect meaningful environmental data without relying on government or commercial systems.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
KVC Urban Farm teacher and AKV trustee Simon McMillan says the new sensor adds real value to the learning space.
“We are really pleased to see this addition to our Farm learning space. The data and the issues associated with air quality have cross-curricular applications. Moreover, hosting the sensor strengthens our links to our community. A win-win all around.”
View the Data
Live air quality data from the Kaikorai Valley College Urban Farm, along with data from other monitors in the valley, is available at akv.nz/info/air.
