Soils at Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research

Our research looks at the complex inter-relationships that control the response of soils and landscapes to climatic and human-induced pressures, evaluating current risk, and offering sustainable land management and land use options.

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Understaing soils thumb

Understanding soils

Soils are not just dirt! We often think so, because soils are hidden below-ground, out of sight. But did you know that soils are home to over one quarter of all living species? Or that globally soils are the largest terrestrial carbon pool? Soils also clean our drinking water, are a source of raw materials, and form three-dimensional archives of our natural and cultural history.

Soil classification thumb

Soil description & classification

The names people use for soils will always reflect the needs of the day and the understanding people have of the part soil plays in underpinning many of our activities.
These pages attempt to provide background information about the different naming systems that have been used over the years, and, where possible, indicate how they relate to each other.

Soil classification

High country soil survey. Image: Ian Lynn

Soil surveys have been carried out by Manaaki Whenua and its predecessor organisations since the early 1930s. Find out why soil surveys are being done, what actually happens during surveys, and what kind of products they generate.

We have a history of more than 80 years of soils research and a vast knowledge base has accumulated during that time. These pages highlight the various types of soil data available, and how to access them.

Soil health thumb

Soil health and soil quality

Soil health and soil quality are broad concepts that describe the state of the soil and whether a soil is well suited to how it is being used. The two terms are often used interchangeably although some maintain there is a difference between the two. This section dives into our research on soil health and resilience, how soil quality/soil health is being monitored in New Zealand, and what conclusions we can draw from this for national soil health.

Wheat. Image: Tom Faser

Advanced reading: Soil functions

Even though we are mostly unaware of it in our everyday lives, soils play important roles and provide materials and ‘services’ without which our modern lives would be impossible.

Our latest news

4 September 2026

Status of World's Soil Resources 2026 report has been released

The Report on the Status of the World Soil Resources (SWSR) 2026 is a reference work and a milestone among the documents assessing global soil quality and soil health change.

S-map updates across Aotearoa for 2026

During FY26, our pedologists and soil surveyors have again been working hard to increase the national coverage of S-map, with new soil surveys due to be uploaded this August, funded through regional councils, SSIF leverage, and MfE (now MCERT).

New book: Secrets From The Antarctic Dry Valleys

Iain B Campbell, one of NZ’s Antarctic soil pioneers, has just published a beautifully illustrated, authoritative description of the many unique features of the Antarctic Dry Valleys.

Celebrating 100 years of DSIR (and 80 years of NZ Soil Bureau)

In 2026, New Zealand is Celebrating 80 years of NZ Soil Bureau, and 100 years of science working for NZ.

20 January 2026

Cawthrone Institute's soils heritage unearthed

A new collection in our Digital Library has just gone live. It features soils publications from the early years of soil research in New Zealand, conducted by the Cawthron Institute.

29 October 2025

Soil Horizons Issue 34

Our 'Soil Horizons' newsletter communicates our work in soil-related research to stakeholders, customers and colleagues.

Broadening our horizons: S-map coverage expands again

A significant update to S-map was released on 21 August 2025 – the final update from the partnership between Manaaki Whenua, MPI and 12 regional councils.

NZ Post releases soil stamps

In collaboration with Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, NZ Post is today issuing a set of 4 stamps depicting soils and the roles they play in our lives.

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