NZSC 4th edition

The most recent (4th) edition of the New Zealand Soil Classification (NZSC) is now available for download as a PDF document. It revises and extends the previous edition of the NZSC from 2010.

A detailed list of changes between editions 3 and 4 can be found here.

At this moment in time, the 4th edition is available online, or as a PDF file. For the online version, please visit Github. To access the PDF version, use the download button below.

We are working towards providing a hardcopy version in the near future that will be distributed through the New Zealand Soil Science Society (NZSSS).

Please email soilstandards@landcareresearch.co.nz if you have any questions or comments about this new edition.

Suggested citation:

Hewitt, A.E. and NZSC Working Group 2026. New Zealand Soil Classification. 4th edn. Landcare Research Science Series 1. Lincoln, New Zealand, New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science. Doi: 10.7931/dl1-lrss-4-2026.