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A windy spring ahead – get prepared for allergy season

El Niño is here and forecasters expect windier, drier conditions across the motu. Wind lifts pollen into the air, and for people with asthma and allergies, that can trigger symptoms or flare-ups.

Allergies - Awanui Labs

Spring has arrived with one of the strongest El Niño patterns on record expected to play out over the next few months, meaning more pollen in the air and some unusually warm, changeable days.

As a result, hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders living with asthma and allergies should be prepared for a potential flare-up of symptoms.

Earth Sciences New Zealand confirms that the data shows the hallmarks of a historically significant event, with the potential for it to exceed the top five strongest El Niño years New Zealand has seen.

For most of the country, that points to a spring dominated by westerly winds - drier in the north and east – wetter in the west and lower South Island, and windier than usual almost everywhere.

Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says wind is the detail that matters most for people managing respiratory conditions.

"When the wind picks up, pollen doesn't just stay local - it travels, and it can travel a long way.

"That means people who don't usually think of themselves as hay fever sufferers can end up with symptoms this time of year."

The best defence is having a plan in place before symptoms start, rather than reacting once they do, Ms Harding says.

"Check your medication is current and keep it somewhere you'll actually have it with you - that one step avoids a lot of stress later on."

Up to 80% of asthma is associated with allergies, and one in eight adults and one in eight children in New Zealand live with the condition.

Ways to make spring easier on your lungs

  • Watch daily pollen forecasts and plan outdoor time around them - midday tends to be worst
  • Keep windows shut, both at home and while driving
  • Bring washing inside to dry rather than leaving it out to collect pollen
  • A HEPA air purifier can make a real difference indoors
  • Choose allergy-friendly products when you're doing a spring clean
  • Rinse off in the shower before bed to stop pollen settling on your pillow overnight
  • Keep an eye out for symptoms that feel unusual for you, including breathlessness, and get them checked