SoilsOfNZ by Region

Soils Of NZ: By Region
Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Associated Soil Picture
Soil Type and USDA) Position Soils
Canterbury Lismore Shallow and NZ: Pallic Orthic 0 - 20cm: Very dark greyish brown, silt Lismore soils are formed from Occupies extensive The most extensive soil
Stony Silt Loam Brown Soil loam, fine and very fine polyhedral gravelly glacial outwash with a gently sloping fans. occupying the Canterbury
structure. variable depth of silty loess Plains.
USDA: Typic deposit at the surface. The soil is
Dystrustept 20 - 30cm: Brown to dark brown, stony well drained and has moderate to Forms an association of soils on
silt loam, weakly developed fine and very rapid permeability. the south bank of major rivers -
fine polyhedral structure. as loess depth increases
Without irrigation, the soil is very Lismore soils merge into
30 - 50cm: Dark yellowish brown, very droughty and is used for Chertsey soils then into Hatfield
stony sandy loam, weakly massive extensive pastoral farming and and Barrhill soils.
structure. Pinus Radiata plantations.
Grades into Ruapuna soils at
50 - 120 cm: Dark brown to dark greyish With irrigation the soil is used for 880 mm of annual rainfall.
brown weakly cemented very stony loamy intensive pastoral farming (dairy,
sand layers alternating with olive loose deer, sheep) and for permanent
very stony sand layers. horticultural crops (grapes, nut
trees).
Canterbury Tekoa Steepland Soil NZ: Allophanic 0 - 18 cm: Very dark greyish brown, silt Well drained, friable, acid soils Occurs on steep land Occurs on the west of the
Firm Brown Soil loam, fine to extremely fine polyhedral with variable depth and derived from extensive frontal mountain
structure. stoniness. Mainly used for sheep greywacke rocks, ranges. Very similar soil to
USDA: Andic farming but land with moderate with rainfall of 900- Bealey steepland soils.
Dystrudept 18 - 35 cm: Yellowish brown, stony silt slope angles has a high potential 1500 mm and
loam, fine to extremely fine polyhedral for forestry. elevation of 450- Grades into Hurunui soils at
structure. 1400 m. lower rainfall and into Kaikoura
Weed invasion and lack of soil soils at higher elevation.
35 - 55 cm: Strong brown stony silt loam, nutrients are major limitations to
fine to extremely fine polyhedral pastoral farming. A significant are
structure. of Tekoa soils occur under beech
forest within the conservation
55 - 90 cm: Yellowish brown; stony silt estate.
loam, weakly developed coarse
polyhedral structure.
Page 1 of 43
Canterbury Templeton Silt Loam NZ: Typic 0 - 25 cm: Very dark greyish brown, silt Lismore soils are formed from Occupies the older Occurs adjacent to large rivers
Immature Pallic loam, fine and very fine polyhedral greater than 45 cm of fine- part (3000 - 10 000 on the Canterbury Plains.
Soil structure. textured post-glacial alluvium. years BP) of the post- Commonly occurs in close
The soil is moderately well glacial fan surface. association with shallow and
USDA: Udic 25 - 35 cm: Olive brown to light olive drained and has slow stony Eyre soils.
Haplustept brown, silt loam, weakly developed fine permeability in some subsoil
and very fine polyhedral structure, many horizons. Grades into imperfectly drained
inclusions of topsoil in worm burrows. Wakanui soils in hollows and
Without irrigation, the soil is wherever water tables rise.
35 - 55 cm: Light olive brown, fine sandy droughty and is used for pastoral
loam, weakly massive structure. farming and mixed cropping.
55 - 70 cm: Light olive brown, mottled, With irrigation the soil is used for
silt loam, firm, massive. intensive pastoral farming and
cropping and for a wide range of
70 - 200 cm: Olive loose very stony sand. horticultural crops.
Canterbury Temuka Clay Loam NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 20 cm: Very dark greyish brown, clay Temuka soils are formed from Occurs in former Grades into imperfectly drained
Gley Soil loam, coarse to fine polyhedral structure. thick deposits of fine-textured swamps on the older Wakanui soils on swamp
alluvium. The soil is poorly part (5000 - 10 000 margins and into Waimairi peat
USDA: Mollic 20 - 28 cm: Greyish brown, clay loam, drained and has slow years BP) of the post- soils in low areas where water
Endoaquept coarse to fine polyhedral structure, many permeability in subsoil horizons glacial fan surface. tables are highest.
inclusions of topsoil in worm burrows. when wet but has rapid
permeability when cracks open in
28 - 50 cm: Grey with yellowish brown dry conditions.
mottles, clay loam, very coarse
polyhedral structure. The soil is used mainly for
pastoral farming and a small
50 - 70 cm: Grey with yellowish brown proportion is used for mixed
mottles, clay loam, extremely coarse cropping.
prismatic structure.
70 - 85 cm: Very dark greyish brown
Page 2 of 43
Canterbury Timaru Silt Loam NZ: Mottled Fragic 0 - 16 cm: Dark greyish brown, silt loam, Timaru soils are formed from Occupies the lower Occurs on the eastern part of
Pallic Soil fine and very fine polyhedral structure. thick deposits of silty loess. The rainfall (<750 mm the extensive downlands of
soil is imperfectly drained, with rainfall per annum) North Otago and Canterbury.
USDA: Udic 26 - 28 cm: Light olive brown to dark poorly drained inclusions on flat part of easy rolling to
Haplustept greyish brown, silt loam, weakly ridge tops. Fragipans (dense hilly downlands. Grades into more poorly drained
developed medium and very fine subsoil horizons that inhibit root Claremont and Opuha soils at
polyhedral structure, many inclusions of growth and drainage) occur at 40 higher rainfall.
topsoil in worm burrows. to 80 cm from the soil surface.
28 - 40 cm: Light yellowish brown, silt The soil is droughty and is

loam, common mottles, weakly susceptible to wind and rill
developed medium to coarse polyhedral erosion when cultivated. It is used
structure. for pastoral farming and mixed
cropping.
40 - 60 cm: Pale olive, intensely mottled,
silt loam, firm, medium to coarse
East Cape Kiore Hill Soil NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 12 cm: Dark greyish brown gritty silt The soil is formed from loose- Hill country. The soils occur throughout
Brown Soil loam. jointed or 'frittered' mudstone and Poverty Bay. A wide range of
typically slumps easily, giving the soils occur on loose-jointed
USDA: Typic 12 - 30 cm: Yellowish brown to light olive landscape an irregular 'humpy' mudstone because of erosion.
Dystrochrept brown gravelly silty clay loam with 10% look, so typical of the East Coast Close-jointed mudstone has less
weakly weathered angular mudstone of the North Island. erosion and its landscape has
fragments. more slips rather than slumps.
The soils tend to be 'fertile' with
30 - 55 cm: Light olive brown gravelly high levels of exchangeable Locally, bentonic mudstone is
silty clay loam with 10% weakly cations (calcium, magnesium, extremely unstable. Soils
weathered angular mudstone gravels. potassium and sodium) and formed from it are clayey and
reserves of potassium and have grey colours in the
55 - 10 cm+: Olive yellow gravelly clay magnesium. Limitations to subsoils indicating poor
with 50% mudstone weakly weathered intensive agricultural therefore drainage.
angular mudstone gravels. are not fertility but erosion and
erosion potential and slope.
Page 3 of 43
East Cape Kopuawhara Loamy NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 17 cm: Black friable loamy sand. The soil is formed from mainly The soil occurs on The soils occur west and south
Sand Allophanic weathered rhyolitic tephra high terraces. of Gisborne as far as Wairoa.
17 - 31 cm: Dark yellowish brown loose (volcanic ash), which are mostly
USDA: Typic loamy sand. the sandy textured layers, Locally they grade into the
Hapludand overlying tertiary alluvium, which imperfectly to poorly drained
31 - 54 cm: Yellowish brown friable is the silty clay loam. The loamy Mohaka loamy sand.
greasy sandy loam. sand layer (17 - 31 cm) is
Waimihia Tephra (about 4300
54 - 66 cm: Light grey soft sandy loam years old). The soil grows
with many strong brown mottles. excellent pastures and is used for
beef and sheep farming.
66 - 100 cm+: Light brownish grey firm
silty clay loam with common light grey Typical for soil derived from
mottles. weathered volcanic ash the
phosphate retention is high, and
exchangeable potassium and
magnesium low.
Pastures respond well to

topdressing with potassic
superphophate. Some root
restrictions could occur in the
heavier, poorly drained subsoil.
Page 4 of 43
East Cape Oruataiaka Hill Soil NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 20 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt The soils are very stony as a Hilly land. The soils occur extensively in
Recent Soils loam with few weakly weathered result of extensive erosion. West northern and western parts of
greywacke gravels. of Ruatoria deeply eroded argillite the Gisborne - East Cape area.
USDA: Typic is a good example of this, and the Soils of the Raukumara Range
Udorthent 20 - 42 cm: Olive brown gravelly silt loam widely braided rivers such as the derived from greywacke are
with many weakly weathered greywacke Waiapu are receiving great loads strongly leached with low
gravels. of eroded argillite and greywacke. nutrient levels.
42 - 70 cm: Light olive brown gravelly silt The soils are only slightly acid. Allophanic soils from volcanic
loam with abundant weakly weathered Available phosphate is low as is ash occur on stable ridges and
angular greywacke gravels. phosphate retention. This means spurs where some tephra
that the soils respond well to remains.
phosphate topdressing.
The soils tend to have high levels

of exchangeable calcium and
magnesium but low exchangeable
potassium and sodium.
East Cape Waiherere Silt Loam NZ: Weathered 0 - 20 cm: Very dark greyish brown The soil is formed from alluvium The soils occur on Waipaoa soils occur on terraces
Fluvial Recent Soil friable silt loam. and occurs on river levees. Good the flood plains of below the levees and flood
physical properties and a warm major rivers on the frequently. Matawhero soils are
USDA: Mollic 20 - 45 cm: Brownish yellow friable silt climate make this a versatile soil. Gisborne Plains and similar but with deeper topsoils
Udifluvent loam. It is used for cropping (maize), in Tolaga Bay. as a result of infrequent
horticulture(tomatoes, flooding.
45 - 64 cm: Brownish yellow firm fine vegetables) and orchards
sandy loam. (vineyards, Kiwi fruit) as well as Makaraka soils are like the
grazing drystock. Matawhero soils but imperfectly
64 cm +: Light olive brown firm fine drained. Makauri and Kaiti soils
sandy loam, few strong brown mottles. The soil has a moderately to are the imperfectly to poorly
strongly developed structure, well drained former back swamp
drained and there are no root soils of the flood plain.
barriers.
Available water capacity is about

60mm over the upper meter.
Naturally the soil is well supplied
with plant available nutrients.
Page 5 of 43
East Cape Whakawai Hill Soil NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 18 cm: Very dark greyish brown sandy The soils are formed from Rolling to hilly with Different kinds of sandstone
Brown Soil loam with few sandstone fragments. calcareous sandstone, which on easy rounded occur throughout the Gisborne -
steep slopes, stands out in the contour. East Cape area, the largest
USDA: Umbric 18 - 29 cm: Yellowish brown and 30% landscape with its sharp contours. areas in the southern part. Such
Dystrochrept very dark greyish brown sandy loam with Moderate slip erosion occurs and areas are generally regarded as
few sandstone fragments. slips heal slowly. the 'poorer type of country' and
often planted in Pinus radiata.
29 - 51 cm: Yellowish brown sandy clay Analyses showed the weakly
loam with 10% strongly weathered leached soil to have low calcium Soils derived from massive non-
sandstone fragments. in the topsoil grading to high calcareous sandstone have low
levels in the subsoil. exchangeable cation values
51 - 64 cm: Dark yellowish brown sandy Exchangeable magnesium and especially in high rainfall areas
clay loam with 20% strongly weathered potassium were of medium to where they are strongly leached.
sandstone fragments. high value and sodium low.
Available and reserve phosphorus Soils derived from banded
65+ cm: Dark yellowish brown weathered are low. sandstone and siltstone or
sandstone. mudstone have properties in
between those of mudstone and
sandstone.
Hawkes Bluff Clay NZ: Calcareous 0 - 30 cm: Very dark brown clay, strongly The soil is formed by weathering Occurs on Located on limestone hills
Bay Orthic Melanic Soil pedal, fine polyhedral macrofabric. of the underlying limestone. moderately steep between Waipukurau and
There is a sharp boundary hillsides, where Havelock North. Associated
USDA: Typic 30 - 65 cm: Dark brown clay, strongly between the topsoil and the limestone rock has soils are Te Onepu clay loam on
Rendoll pedal, medium blocky macrofabric. limestone. It is moderately deep not been covered by undulating hilltops, and
and well drained. It is only used loess. Matapiro sandy loam on rolling
65 - 120+cm: White sandy limestone. for pastoral farming because of land.
the steepness of its slope.
Page 6 of 43
Hawkes Kaweka Sandy Silt NZ: Typic Impeded 0 - 18 cm: Dark brown humic sandy loam. This allophanic soil is developed Found on undulating Occurs extensively throughout
Bay Allophanic Soil in successive layers of airfall to moderately steep the Kaweka mountains and hills
18 - 32 cm: Dark yellowish brown and volcanic ash. The upper layers are hillsides. between Kuripapango and
USDA: Typic strong brown loamy coarse sand with relatively coarse textured, being Gisborne. Associated with very
Hapludand many gravel-sized lapilli. formed from Taupo Tephra and eroded forms, and with soils
Waimihia Tephra, while the lower which have differing
32 - 38 cm: Dark yellowish brown sandy layer is fine textured and strongly thicknesses of volcanic ash.
loam with many very fine gravel-sized weathered.
lapilli.
The slow permeability of the
38 - 100+cm: Dark yellowish brown fine subsoil leads to perching of soil
sandy loam. water for most of the time.
The vegetation is native beech

and kamahi forest, at an altitude
of about 1000 metres. In many
places the ash has been stripped
by erosion, leaving the older,
more weathered ash at the
surface.
Auckland/C Puhoi Clay Loam NZ: Mottled-acidic 0 - 18 cm: Very dark brown clay loam, These have formed from Found on hilly and Occurs around Waiwera, parts
oromandel Orthic Brown Soil fine polyhedral structure. weathered sandstone claystone rolling land. of hilly land in south Auckland
that is often near the surface and and Coromandel.
USDA: Mollic 18 - 50 cm: Pale yellowish brown and influences the soil profile. They
Haplaquept pale grey clay, many mottles, medium are imperfectly drained. Used for
polyhedral structure, clay coats on peds. pasture and forestry. These is
often a limitation of steep slope.
50 - 75 cm: Pale brownish grey clay,
abundant yellowish brown mottles,
medium polyhedral structure, clay coats
on peds.
75 + cm: Pale grey soft sandstone, mant

coarse brown mottles.
Page 7 of 43
Auckland/C Waikare Clay NZ: Perch-gleyed 0 - 7 cm: Dark greyish brown clay loam, These have formed from Found on rolling land. Occurs around Warkworth,
oromandel Albic Ultic Soil medium polyhedral structure. weathered claystone and soils Wellsford, parts of hilly land in
pugg easily. They are poorly or south Auckland and
USDA: Aquic 7 - 17 cm: Light brownish grey clay loam, imperfectly drained. Low natural Coromandel.
Haplohumult many yellowish brown mottles. fertility.
17 - 35 cm: Light grey clay, many Used for pasture but wintering
yellowish brown mottles, coarse prismatic pads to keep cattle of the soil
structure. when it is wet are needed. Trees
are grown on these soils but
35 - 65 cm: Light grey and yellowish performance is poor.
brown clay, coarse prismatic structure.
Auckland/C Whangaripo Clay NZ: Mottled 0 - 10 cm: Very dark grey clay, fine These have formed from strongly Found on rolling land. Occurs around Warkworth,
oromandel Yellow Ultic Soil polyhedral structure. weathered sandstone. They are Wellsford, parts of hilly land in
moderately well drained. Low the Coromandel.
USDA: Typic 10 - 45 cm: Pale yellowish brown clay, natural fertility. Used for pasture
Hapludult many reddish brown mottles, few clay and well suited for forestry.
coats on peds.
45 - 72 cm: Brownish yellow clay, many

yellowish red mottles.
72 - 90 cm: Reddish yellow and red clay,

medium polyhedral structure, few clay
coats on peds.
Page 8 of 43
Bay of Mamaku Sandy Loam NZ: Humose 0 - 8 cm: Black sandy loam. The soil is formed from very thin The soil occurs on the Mamaku
Plenty Orthic Podzol Kaharoa and Taupo Tephra on Plateau under 2000 mm annual
8 - 15 cm: Greyish brown loamy sand. Mamaku, Rotoma and Waiohau rainfall. It grades into
USDA: Andic Tephra overlying thick Ngongotaha and Oruanui soils
Haplohumod 15 - 43 cm: Dark reddish brown greasy RotoruaTephra with abundant with decreasing rainfall and
silt loam. fine pumice lapilli. This rests on increasing amounts of Taupo
ignimbrite. Podzol features such Pumice.
43 - 58 cm: Strong brown greasy silt as a bleached layer under the
loam on Dark yellowish brown greasy silt topsoil and reddish subsoils, are
loam. common. The soil is used for
plantation forestry, beef, deer and
sheep farming.
Properties:The soil is strongly

leached with low nutrient levels.
High levels of phosphate
retention.
Bay of Opouriao Silt Loam NZ: Weathered 0 - 23 cm: Black silt loam with The soil is formed from alluvium The soil occurs on
Plenty Fluvial Recent Soil moderately developed structure. derived from greywacke and levees on the Opotiki
tephra. It occurs in a warm and Rangitaiki
USDA: Dystric 23 - 60 cm: Yellowish brown to olive climate and has a good natural Plains. Rangitaiki
Fluventic brown fine sandy loam. fertility. One of the most versatile and Ruatoki soils
Eutrochrept soils of New Zealand. occur on lower
60 - 100 cm: Yellowish brown silt loam Suitable for pastoral uses, terraces and
ver few yellowish brown mottles. horticulture or cropping. Flooding naturally flood
is rare. frequently.
Properties: The soil is well drained Associated former

with moderately deep black back swamps have
topsoils. It is moderately leached Otara soils or Paroa
with good levels of exchangeable soils developed on
calcium, magnesium and them.
potassium. Reserves of
potassium, magnesium and
phosphorus are of high value.
Page 9 of 43
Bay of Papamoa Loamy Sand NZ: Typic Sandy 0 - 12 cm: Black loamy sand. The soil is derived from wind- Coastal areas from Katikati to
Plenty Recent Soil blown sand with small amounts Opotiki. Similar soils on the
12 - 21 cm: Dark brown loamy sand, few of tephra in the upper horizons.It Rangitaiki plains have more
USDA: Typic very fine Kaharoa lapilli. is used for winter grazing of cattle tephra in the upper horizons.
Udipsamment and sheep in association with
21 - 30 cm: Dark yellowish brown sand wetter soils.Also urban Ohope soils occur closer to the
with few Taupo lapilli on White to very development and recreation. ocean with less profile
pale brown sand. development (thinner or no
Properties: Excessively drained topsoil, raw dune sand in the
soil with low amounts of plant- subsoil).
available water and nutrients.
Potential of wind erosion Kairua soils occur further inland
often with a humus/iron pan in
the subsoil formed by
indigenous forests.
Bay of Paroa Silt Loam NZ: Acid Recent 0 - 18 cm: Very dark brown silt loam with Typical layered soil of the former Paroa soils occur throughout
Plenty Gley Soils coarse sand (Tarawera Tephra) in the backswamps of the Rangitaiki the Rangitaiki Plains with
upper 5 cm. Plains derived from several subtypes mapped
USDA: Andic or tephra,alluvium and peat. depending on subsoil layers
Aquic Dystrochrept 0 - 18 cm: Very dark brown silt loam with The soil is in pasture used for (Paroa silt loam on peat, peat
coarse sand (Tarawera Tephra) in the dairying,beef and some sheep over gravels) and topsoil
upper 5 cm. farming. textures.
44 - 49 cm: Very dark brown silt loam Properties: The poorly drained
(buried topsoil) soil becomes moderately well
49 - 61 cmLight grey sand (Kaharoa drained with artificial drainage.
Tephra). Slow permeability in the subsoil.
High water tables in winter.
61 - 76 cm: Very dark brown peat. High levels of organic matter and
exchangeable calcium,
76 - 91 cm:Yellowish brown islt loam on magnesium and potassium in the
Brown and pale olive sand with pumice topsoil. Low phosphorus levels.
Page 10 of 43
Bay of Rotomahana Loam NZ: Typic Tephric 0 - 7 cm: Very dark brown loam, friable The soil was formed during the Mostly west of Mt Tarawera and
Plenty Recent Soil with moderately developed structure. 1886 Trawera eruption from east of Rotorua on rolling to hilly
hydrothermally altered rhyolitic land. Tarawera Tephra erupted
USDA: Typic 7 - 50 cm: Light olive grey friable silt ejecta from Lake Rotomahana.Its mostly east of Mt Tarawera and
Udorthent loam with weakly developed soil youth is reflected in very shallow it is the parent material of
structure. topsoils with low levels of organic infertile soils
matter.It is used for dairying, beef
50 - 67 cm: Light olive grey slightly firm and sheep farming.
silt loam.
Properties:This is one of the few
67 - 78 cm: Pale olive slightly firm sandy soils derived from volcanic ejecta
loam. in New Zealand that can be called
fertile. It has high levels of
78 - 87 cm:Black sandy loam (buried exchangeable and reserve
topsoil of Taupo Pumice). magnesium and potassium.High
to medium calcium and available
phosphorus.However, the soil
tends to compact easily and is
therefore not suited to intensive
cropping.
Bay of Te Ngae Road NZ: TBA TBA Location: North-

Plenty eastern side of Lake
USDA: TBA Rotorua, Te Ngae
Road about 350 m
north of the
Whakatane turn-off.
Page 11 of 43
Bay of Te Puke Sandy Loam NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 18 cm: Black friable sandy loam. The soil is formed from The soil has weakly The soils occur on dissected
Plenty Allophanic Soil weathered rhyolitic tephra (very developed soil tephra-covered surfaces in
18 - 60 cm: Dark yellowish brown sandy thin Kaharoa and Taupo Tephra, structures and there western Bay of Plenty.
USDA: Typic loam. on Mamaku, Rotoma, Rotorua are no root barriers. Paengaroa soils occur further
Hapludand Tephra on older rhyolitic tephra). The soil is free east and are sandier and
60 - 94 cm: Yellowish brown and yellow draining yet has very Katikati soils occur further to
friable coarse sandy loam on Yellowish Good physical properties and a high soil-water the west and have finer
brown gritty silt loam. warm climate make this a storage levels. textures. Opotiki soils are
versatile soil. It is used for similar.
orchards (Kiwi fruit, citrus), Low magnesium and
dairying, beef and sheep farming. potassium levels and
medium phosphate
retention are typical.
Canterbury Hurunui Hill and NZ: Acidic Orthic 0 -18 cm: Very dark greyish brown, silt Well drained, friable, weakly acid Occurs on hilly and Occurs on the extensive frontal
Steepland Soil Brown Soil loam, fine and very fine polyhedral soils with variable depth and steepland derived mountain ranges, east of the
structure. stoniness. Mainly used for sheep from greywacke Canterbury high country.
USDA: Typic farming but land with moderate rocks, with rainfall of
Dystrudept 18 - 35 cm: Dark yellowish brown, stony slope angels has a high potential 700-1200 mm and Grades into Haldon soils at
silt loam, very fine to medium polyhedral for forestry. Woody and scrubby elevation of 150-900 lower rainfall and into Kaikoura
structure, many inclusions of topsoil in weed invasion is a major m. and Tekoa steepland soils at
worm burrows. limitation to pastoral farming. higher elevation, or under
colder climate, to the west.
35 - 95 cm: Yellowish brown, stony to
very stony silt loam, fine to coarse
95 + cm: Shattered rock.
Page 12 of 43
Canterbury Lewis Steepland Soil NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 12 cm: Dark brown, silt loam, very Well drained, extremely acid soils Occurs on steep Occurs on lower steep slopes of
Podzol Soil fine to extremely fine polyhedral with distinctive profile features slopes under beech the Southern Alps to the east of
structure. including thin topsoils overlying forest with rainfall the main divide.
USDA: Andic pale eluvial horizons, overlying of1800-5000 mm
Haplorthod 12 - 22 cm: Pale brown, stony silty clay rich brown to reddish brown and elevation of 450- Grades into Kaikoura soils or
loam, weakly developed fine to extremely subsoils with high iron, aluminium 1400 m. alpine soils at higher altitude,
fine polyhedral structure. and humus coatings. and into Tekoa or Bealey soils at
lower rainfall.
22 - 60 cm: Strong brown stony silty clay Almost all Lewis soils occur under
loam, fine to extremely fine polyhedral beech forest within the
structure. conservation estate.
52 - 85 cm: Dark brown and dark reddish

brown, very stony sandy loam, massive.
85 + cm: Olive brown, very stony loamy
Hawkes Omahu Gravelly Sandy NZ: Typic Fluvial 0 - 5 cm: Dark brown gravelly sandy loam. Formed in recent alluvial sand Occurs on former Found in the Gimblett Road
Bay Loam Recent Soil and gravel, this soil is very river courses, and on area of the Heretaunga Plains,
5 - 18 cm: Olive brown gravelly sand, permeable and highly aerated. It floodplains where and also alongside the three
USDA: Typic single grain apedal. is an excessively drained and stopbank protection main rivers.
Ustifluvent droughty soil used for viticulture. has allowed
18 - 150+cm: Vvery dark greyish brown Note the thin topsoil, and the development of a Associated with the deeper
sandy gravel, single grain apedal. fluvial bedding in the gravel. distinct topsoil. Omarunui soils, and with the
Irrigation is essential on this soil imperfectly drained Flaxmere
type. soils. Older Twyford and
Hastings soils are found nearby,
on higher and flood-free land.
Page 13 of 43
Hawkes Pakipaki Silt Loam NZ: Typic Sandy 0 - 18 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt This soil is formed in pumice Occurs on the Found on the the southwestern
Bay Gley Soil loam, moderately pedal, medium blocky alluvium deposited after the alluvial plain. part of the Heretaunga Plains.
macrofabric. Taupo Pumice volcanic eruption Associated with Te Awa soils,
USDA: Aquandic approximately 2000 years before which have greater thicknesses
Humaquept 18 - 25 cm: Dark grey fine sandy loam, present. of greywacke-derived soil
moderately pedal,fine blocky macrofabric. overlying the pumice sand, and
This example has poor drainage, also with the very poorly drained
25 - 38 cm: Grey fine sand, weakly pedal caused both by slow subsoil Turamoe peaty loam.
pedal. permeability in the closely packed
and structureless fine sand, and
38 - 42 cm: Light brownish grey coarse also by a high watertable.
sand and gravel-size pumice, single grain
apedal. Note the current bedding in the
subsoil layers. Also note the
42 - 70 cm: Greyish brown fine sand; groundwater seeping out from
about 85 cm depth. Currently
70 - 110+cm: Grey fine sand and gravel- used for pastoral farming and
size pumice. cropping.
Hawkes Poporangi Sandy Loam NZ: Mottled Duric 0 - 19 cm: Very dark brown sandy loam. This soil is old enough that Occurs on ancient Found on older parts of the
Bay Pallic Soil distinctive horizonation has alluvial plains and Heretaunga Plains and
19 - 28 cm: Greyish brown sandy loam formed. Note the worm-mixing terraces. throughout Central Hawkes Bay.
USDA: Typic with common brown mottles and many below the dark topsoil, the pale Associated with Ngatarawa
Durustalf worm-channels. leached layer above the clay, and sandy loam and Takapau sandy
the hard duripan which is very loam.
28 - 34 cm: Light brownish grey loamy difficult to dig into. It is an
sand with common brown mottles, imperfectly drained soil, with
weakly pedal. water perching above the clay
and the duripan layers.
34 - 45 cm: Yellowish brown clay loam
with many greyish brown mottles and Mostly used for pastoral farming,
common dark brown clay coatings, although may be used for
strongly pedal, coarse blocky macrofabric. viticulture if the duripan can be
disrupted by deep ripping the soil.
45 - 100+cm: Olive brown sandy loam,
Page 14 of 43
Hawkes Takapau Sandy Loam NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 25 cm: Very dark brown sandy loam. Formed in ancient alluvial silt and Occurs on alluvial Found on the Heretaunga Plains
Bay Allophanic Soil gravel with additions of volcanic plains and elevated and throughout Central
25 - 63 cm: Dark yellowish brown ash, and quite strongly river terraces. Hawke_s Bay. In association
USDA: Andic allophanic sandy loam with common dark weathered. Moderately rapidly with Poporangi sandy loam,
Ustochrept reddish brown coatings on pores, very permeable soil material over very deeper and with a duripan, and
friable failure. permeable gravels. A somewhat also with the non-allophanic
excessively drained and droughty Ngatarawa sandy loam.
63 - 120+cm: Dark yellowish brown soil very suited to viticulture.
sandy gravel, single grain apedal.
Note the abundant roots in the
gravel layer. The sandy loam
topsoil is very susceptible to wind
erosion.
Marlboroug Awatere Shallow Sandy NZ: Typic Fluvial 0 - 15 cm: Ddark greyish brown gravelly Formed in recent alluvial sand Occurs on river Found alongside the Wairau and
h/Nelson Loam Recent Soil sandy loam, weakly pedal, coarse blocky and gravel, this soil is very floodplains, but Awatere Rivers in Marlborough.
macrofabric. permeable and highly aerated. where stopbank Associated with the deep
USDA: Typic protection has Gibsons soils. Slightly older
Ustifluvent 15 - 90+cm: Ddark olive grey sandy It is an excessively drained and allowed development Wairau and Rapaura soils are
gravel, single grain apedal. droughty soil used for viticulture. of a distinct topsoil. found nearby, on slightly higher
Note the roots at 50-55 cm, and flood-free land.
exploiting moisture held in a thin
sand lens. Irrigation is essential
on this soil type.
Page 15 of 43
Marlboroug Grovetown Deep Clay NZ: Mottled 0 - 25 cm: Dark grey clay loam, This imperfectly drained soil is Found on lower parts Occurs on the Wairau plains,
h/Nelson Loam Fluvial Recent Soil moderately pedal, coarse blocky developed in deep alluvial and of alluvial plains, near to Spring Creek.
macrofabric. predominantly fine-textured near areas of natural Associated soils are the poorly
USDA: Aquic sediments. It has limitations springs. drained Spring Creek soils, and
Dystrochrept 25 - 65 cm: Grey heavy silt loam with caused by some perching of the well drained Wairau soils.
many strong brown mottles, moderately water in the heavy silt loam layer,
pedal, medium blocky plus fine as well as high groundwater
polyhedral macrofabric. influence.
65 - 115 cm: Grey fine sandy loam with This soil is well suited to market
many dark yellowish brown mottles, gardening, and is also used for
weakly pedal. pipfruit production. Quite large
areas are still being pastorally
115 - 130+ cm: Grey sandy loam with farmed.
many olive brown and light brownish grey
mottles, massive apedal.
Marlboroug Mapua Fine Sandy NZ: Mottled 0 - 28 cm: Dark greyish brown fine sandy This is a strongly weathered soil Found on slopes and This soil occurs primarily on the
h/Nelson Loam Yellow Ultic Soil loam, weakly pedal, coarse blocky formed in ancient weathered crests in rolling Moutere Gravels geological
macrofabric. gravels. It has low pH and very landscapes. formation near Nelson. It is
USDA: Aquic low nutrient levels. It is also associated with the Mapua hill
Hapludult 28 - 55 cm: Brownish yellow clay loam slowly permeable, leading to soils on hilly land, and with the
with many strong brown mottles and dark considerable wetness during wet Braeburn soils of the adjacent
reddish brown organic coatings, weakly seasons. valley floors.
pedal, medium blocky macrofabric, few
weathered pebbles. It is classed as imperfectly
drained, and artificial drainage is
55 - 88 cm: Strong brown clay loam with required, as much of the Nelson
many light brownish grey mottles and apple crop is produced on this
pale brown organic coatings, weakly soil type. Past land use practices
pedal, coarse prismatic macrofabric, few have led to severe topsoil erosion.
weathered pebbles.
Page 16 of 43
Marlboroug Rapaura Shallow Silt NZ: Typic Fluvial 0 - 22 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt This shallow soil is formed in Occurs on alluvial Found in the Wairau and
h/Nelson Loam Recent Soil loam, moderately pedal, medium recent alluvial sediment, and has plains, some Awatere Valleys of Marlborough.
polyhedral macrofabric. sufficient age that topsoil is well distance from the Associated with deeper Wairau
USDA: Mollic developed and there is some river course, and free soils. Younger Awatere and
Ustifluvent 22 - 45 cm: Olive brown fine sandy loam, weathering of the subsoil, causing from flood risk. Gibsons soils are located nearer
massive apedal. brown rather than grey colours. the river courses.
45 - 110+ cm: Dark greyish brown sandy The topsoil and subsoil are
gravel, single grain apedal. moderately permeable, and the
gravel is very permeable. The soil
is somewhat excessively drained,
and is ideal for viticulture.
Marlboroug Seddon Silt Loam NZ: Typic 0 - 23 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt This moderately deep soil is Occurs on This soil is found predominantly
h/Nelson Immature Pallic loam, weakly pedal, fine polyhedral formed in loess (wind-deposited intermediate height on southern terraces of the
Soil macrofabric. sediment) over alluvial gravel. The river terraces. Awatere River. It is associated
fragipan is not sufficiently with the shallow and stony
USDA: Udic 23 - 55 cm: Yellowish brown silt loam, developed to cause perching of Dashwood soils, and the slightly
Ustochrept weakly pedal, medium blocky water or restriction of roots. Some older Seaview soils which are
macrofabric. mottling is found in the lowest formed in deeper loess deposits.
fine earth layer, where water
55 - 85 cm: Yellowish brown fine sandy perches before draining into the
loam, incipient fragipan. gravel. The soil is moderately well
drained. Although previously only
85 - 98 cm: Olive brown fine sandy loam used for dryland pastoral farming,
with many strong brown mottles. large areas of this soil type are
now being used for viticulture.
98 - 160+cm: Clay coated and sandy
gravel.
Page 17 of 43
Marlboroug Wairau Deep Silt Loam NZ: Typic Fluvial 0 - 24 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt This deep soil is formed in recent Found on alluvial Found in the Wairau and
h/Nelson Recent Soil loam, weakly pedal, medium blocky alluvial sediment which overlies plains, far enough Awatere Valleys of Marlborough.
macrofabric. gravel. The soil is moderately from the river Associated with shallow
USDA: Mollic rapidly permeable, and also courses, or elevated Rapaura soils, and imperfectly
Ustifluvent 24 - 40 cm: Olive brown fine sandy loam, stores large quantities of soil sufficiently to be free drained Grovetown soils.
weakly pedal, fine blocky macrofabric. water. It is well drained, and is from flood risk. Younger Awatere and Gibsons
very suitable for most soils are located nearer the river
40 - 48 cm: Dark greyish brown loamy horticulture. It is used for courses.
sand, single grain apedal. viticulture, but tends to cause
high vigour.
48 - 74 cm: Olive brown fine sandy loam;
74 - 106 cm: Olive sand.
106 - 120+cm: Sandy gravel
Northland Kerikeri Friable Clay NZ: Orthic Typic 0 - 15 cm: Dark brown heavy silt loam, The soil is formed in strongly Found on flat to Occur in the vicinity of Kerikeri
Oxidic Soil fine polyhedral structure. weathered basalt, is well drained gently undulating and often associated with
and can dry out rapidly over surfaces of ancient Okaihou soils.
USDA: Typic 15 - 27 cm: Dark brown clay loam with summer. Low natural fertility. basalt flows.
Haplohumult hard concretions. Suited to pasture and
horticulture. Horticultural crops
27 - 45 cm: Dark brown clay loam, often need irrigation.
coarse block structure, few hard
concretions.
45 - 72 cm: Dark brown clay loam,

medium block structure, few weathered
basalt fragments.
72 - 110 cm: Dark brown clay, fine block

structure, many concretions and
Page 18 of 43
Northland Okaihau Gravelly Clay NZ: Nodular Typic 0 - 22 cm: Dark greyish brown gravelly The soil is formed in strongly Found on flat to Occur in the vicinity of Kerikeri
Oxidic Soil silt loam, medium polyhedral structure. weathered basalt, is well to gently undulating and often associated with
moderately well drained and can surfaces of ancient Kerikeri soils. Some Okaihau
USDA: Orthoxic 22 - 61 cm: Brown clayey gravel (up to dry out rapidly over summer. Low basalt flows. soils can have impeded
Palehumult 60 mm diam.) of hard concretions. natural fertility. Suited to pasture drainage and their subsoils look
and horticulture. Horticultural "greenish" (dark greyish brown).
61 - 70 cm: Dark brown clay loam, fine crops often need irrigation and Generally they have more gravel
block structure, many fine hard may require drainage. and coarser structure than
concretions, few clay coatings. Kerikeri soils.
70 - 89 cm: Dark yellowish brown gravelly

clay loam, few fine concretions.
Northland Papakauri Silt Loam NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 15 cm: Dark reddish brown silt loam. The soil is red in colour, including Found on flat to Not a common soil. Found in
Allophanic Soil the topsoil. They are friable well gently undulating the vicinity of Kaikohe and
15 - 32 cm: Dark red gritty silt loam, fine drained soils and can dry out surfaces of land Whangarei.
USDA: Acrudoxic blocky structure. rapidly in summer. Suited to a around the perimeter
Hapludand variety of uses such as pasture, of basalt cones.
32 - 54 cm: Dark red silt loam, medium cropping and horticulture. They
polyhedral structure. are physically resilient soils and
require high levels of P fertiliser.
54 - 85 cm: Dark red clay loam, fine
85 - 111+ cm: Yellowish red clay loam,

coarse polyhedral structure.
Page 19 of 43
Northland Te Kopuru Sand NZ: Humus-pan 0 - 15 cm: Grey loamy sand. The soil has a hard shallow pan Found on flat to Common particularly on the
Densipan Podzol which restricts roots and gently undulating west coast and inland of Ninety
15 - 40 cm: White sand, loose single drainage. It has formed under surfaces of rolling Mile Beach which were under
USDA: Typic grain structure. Kauri vegetation on old sand land which was once former Kauri forest.
Duraquod dunes. It has very low natural sand dunes or sand
40 - 50 cm: Black cemented sand, fertility. Becomes very wet in blown inland.
massive, very hard, strongly indurated. winter and very dry in summer.
Suited to pasture. One of the
50 - 80 cm: Brownish yellow sand, most difficult soils.
massive, hard, weakly indurated.
80 - 110+ cm: Brownish yellow sand,

massive, very firm, weakly indurated.
Northland Waimate North Heavy NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 13 cm: Dark red heavy silt loam. The soil is red in colour, including Found on gently Found in the vicinity of Kaikohe
Silt Loam Oxidic Soil the topsoil. They are friable well undulating surfaces and often associated with
13 - 23 cm: Dark red silt loam, fine drained soils and can dry out of land formed from Papakauri soils.
USDA: Andeptic polyhedral structure. rapidly in summer. Suited to a weathered
haplohumult variety of uses. Well suited to scoriacious basalt.
23 - 44 cm: Dark red clay loam, medium dairy farming and horticulture,
polyhedral structure. however irrigation may be needed
for some crops.
44 - 58 cm: Dark red clay loam, fine
58 - 91+ cm: Dark red clay, fine block

structure.
Page 20 of 43
Northland Wharekohe Silt Loam NZ: Densipan 0 - 18 cm: Greyish brown loamy silt. The soil is formed in strongly Found on flat to Common throughout Northland
Perched-gley Ultic weathered mudstone, is poorly gently undulating especially under former Kauri
Soil 18 - 27 cm: Pale brown clay, few grey drained and has very low natural surfaces of the forest. There is also a sandy
mottles, firm, coarse polyhedral structure. fertility. Becomes very wet in rolling hilly land. loam type.
USDA: Typic winter and is easily pugged. A
Albaquult 27 - 62 cm: White clay, massive, firm, very hard cemented pan can also
brown coatings on vertical partings. be present just below the surface.
Suited to pasture. One of the
62 - 85 cm: White clay, massive, brown most difficult soils to grow a crop
coatings on vertical partings. on.
85 - 110 cm: White silty clay, massive,

many yellowish brown mottles.
Southland Dunstan NZ: Typic 0 - 15 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt The soil is formed in schist Found on steep land Occur at mid to high altitudes in
Allophanic Brown loam with 10% gravel, earthy, apedal. colluvium on schist rock, is well of the Otago Ranges. the Central Otago Region.
Soil drained and has high phosphate
15 - 40 cm: Yellowish brown silt loam retention. The soil is similar to
USDA: Andic Lithic with 40% gravel, earthy, apedal, non- Allophanic Soils of the North
Dystrochrept sticky. Island formed from volcanic ash.
Low natural fertility.
40+ cm: Jointed schist rock.
Page 21 of 43
Southland Lowburn Loamy Sand NZ: Typic Aged- 0 - 8 cm: Dark grey gravelly sand, The soil is formed in loess over Found on flat to An uncommon soil. Occurs in
argillic Semiarid massive, single grained. alluvium of sand, gravel and gently undulating the Alexandra area.
Soil boulders. There is carbonate surfaces of high
8 - 32 cm: Yellowish brown gravelly accumulation in the soil profile. terraces.
USDA: Arenic coarse sand. The climate is very dry and it is a
Haplargid difficult soil to farm despite high
32 - 50 cm: Strong brown gravelly sandy natural fertility.
loam, compact, gravel cemented with
clay very firm and with boulders, white
carbonate deposits.
50+ cm: Dark brown stoney and

bouldery loamy coarse sand, weakly
cemented and firm.
Southland Oamaru Shallow Clay NZ: Typic Rendzic 0 - 5 cm: Black calcareous clay loam, fine The soil is formed in hard Found on flat to Occur in the vicinity of the
Loam Melanic Soil spheroidal structure, friable, non-sticky. limestone, is excessively drained gently undulating Ngapara district, Enfield-Te
with rapid permeability and can surfaces of mesas, Aneraki district. Associated with
USDA: Lithic 5 - 20 cm: Very dark brown calcareous dry out rapidly over summer. crests of scarps of othe Oamaru soils on hill slopes
Rendoll clay loam, friable, non-sticky, fine Moderate natural fertility with limestone country. and with shallow loess
polyhedral structure, few limestone alkaline pH. The shallow soil Under tussock coverings. Also Roseberry
fragments. depth is a limitation to many grassland or grazing. steepland soils which are
uses. Suited to pasture. formed from limestone.
20 - 32 cm: Dark brown calcareous
gravelly clay loam, friable, slightly sticky,
fine and medium polyhedral structure,
many limestone fragments.
32+ cm: Hard, massive, jointed limstone.
Page 22 of 43
Southland Opuha Silt Loam NZ: Mottled Fragic 0 - 20 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt The soil is formed in loess, is Found on strongly Occur on the foothills
Pallic Soil loam, firm, fine polyhedral structure. poorly drained and has low rolling hilly land. boardering the steeplands in
natural fertility. Becomes very wet the vacinity of Orari Gorge, near
USDA: Aquic 20 - 30 cm: Pale brownish grey silt loam in winter and is easily pugged, Hampden and the Fairlie
Fragiochrept with many mottles, firm. drainage is often essential. Suited District. They grade eastward
to pasture. into Claremont soils and
30+ cm: Yellowish brown silt loam with westward into Kakahu soils.
grey and brown mottles, very firm,
compact, coarse prismatic structure.
Southland Pomahaka Loamy Silt NZ: Fluvial Recent 0 - 27 cm: Dark greyish brown loamy silt, The soil is formed in silty and Found on flat to Occur on the Taieri Plains. There
on Sandy Loam Soil medium polyhedral structure. loamy alluvium, often over gravel. gently undulating are several Pomahaka soil types
The soil is sandy, well drained surfaces of levees mainly seperated on sand size.
USDA: Typic 27 - 44 cm: Light olive brown sandy and has moderate natural fertility. and fans.
Udifluvent loam, massive single grain structure. Buried topsoils may also be
present. Highly suitable for
44 - 62 cm: Light yellowish brown sandy horticulture with many areas in
loam, massive single grain structure. pasture. Stopbanks have
decreased the flooding risk.
62+ cm: Dark greyish brown sandy loam,
massive single grain structure.
Page 23 of 43
Southland Te Anau Sandy Loam NZ: Fragic 0 - 20 cm: Very dark grey sandy loam, The soil is formed from gravelly Found on ridges of Occur in the lowland areas of
Allophanic Brown friable, fine spheroidal and polyhedral glacial moraine, is well drained moraine. the Te Anau Basin, southeast of
Soil structure. and has very low natural fertility. Lake Te Anau. There is also a
Suited to pasture and tussock hill soil on steeper slopes.
USDA: Andic 20 - 43 cm: Dark yellowish brown sandy grasses or forestry. The soils have
Dystrochrept loam, friable, fine spheroidal and high P retention and are droughty.
polyhedral structure. They are liable to serious erosion
when cultivated and are
43 - 67 cm: Dark yellowish brown sandy unsuitable for cropping. Boulders
loam, friable, fine spheroidal structure, on the surface can also be a
many gravels. problem in some areas.
67+ cm: Light olive brown boulders,

gravel and sand, compact.
Taranaki/M Egmont Black Loam NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 20 cm: Black loam, very fine The soil is formed from andesitic Occurs on flat and Found on flat and rolling land
anawatu Allophanic Soil polyhedral structure; friable. tephra erupted mainly from Mt rolling country where along the central west coast of
Taranaki. Egmont soils are well andesitic tephra has the North Island. Associated
USDA: Typic 20 - 38 cm:Dark yellowish brown loam; drained with a rapid permeability mantled ancient with well-drained Westmere silt
Hapludand very friable; fine polyhedral structure. in the topsoil and a moderate to marine terrace loams and Parakino sandy
moderately rapid permeability in remnant surfaces. loams to the south and Egmont
38 - 55 cm: Dark yellowish brown loam; the subsoil. Very suited to brown loam, and Stratford and
very friable; medium polyhedral structure. grassland farming, forestry, New Plymouth soils to the north.
market gardening and green-feed
55 - 89 cm: Dark yellowish brown silt cropping, with a little barley
loam; friable; dark brown humic cutans; cropping south of Waverley.
coarse polyhedral structure. Egmont soils have a very low
structural vulnerability and a high
89 - 147 cm: Yellowish brown silt loam; resilience. This is due, in part, to
firm; fine and medium polyhedral the high proportion of allophane
structure. present, and to the stabilisation
of soil organic matter by the
formation of organo-mineral
complexes. The soil, as a result,
can be grazed or cropped
intensively with little decline in
soil quality.
Page 24 of 43
Taranaki/M Foxton Black Sand NZ: Typic Sandy 0 - 25 cm: Black loamy sand, fine The soil is formed from weakly Occurs on sand Found on the older, more
anawatu Brown Soils polyhedral structure. weathered wind-blown sand that dunes. consolidated inland dunes of
is often severely water-repellent the sand country. Associated
USDA: Typic 25 - 40 cm: Yellowish brown sand; very in the upper part of the topsoil. with Awahou loamy sands and
Udipsamment fine blocky structure. Foxton soils are somewhat sandy loams of the flat, higher
excessively drained and have a parts of the older sand plains
40 - 65 cm: Olive brown loose sand, rapid to very rapid permeability. (somewhat excessively drained),
single grain. Suited to forestry and intensive the Carnarvon black and brown
grazing, and especially useful as sandy loams and loamy sands
> 65 cm: Light olive brown grading to wintering country for stock. The of the flat, lower lying older
grey loose sand; single grain. soils are, however, drought prone sand plains (imperfectly and
and susceptible to wind erosion if poorly drained), and the very
exposed. poorly drained Omanuka peaty
loams and peaty silt loams of
the flat peaty swamps.
Taranaki/M Kairanga Silty Clay NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 20 cm: Dark grey silty clay; fine The soil is formed from Occurs on flat Found on the alluvial plain
anawatu Gley Soil polyhedral structure with many Fe/Mn moderately weathered, fine- alluvial plain adjacent to the levÚes
concretions at the boundary to the textured quartzo-feldspathic adjacent to the river deposited by the Rangitikei,
USDA: Typic horizon below. sediment washed down off the levÚe. Manawatu, Oroua and Otaki
Endoaquept Ruahine and Tararua Ranges and Rivers. Associated with the
20 - 35 cm: Grey silty clay; fine and deposited on the lowland plains Manawatu (well-drained) soils.
medium blocky structure with abundant as alluvium by the main river
strong brown and dark brown mottles. systems. Kairanga soils are
poorly drained and have a slow to
35 - 60 cm: Grey silty clay; coarse to very very slow permeability. Used
coarse prismatic structure with many extensively for pastoral grazing
strong brown reddish brown mottles. and cropping. They are, however,
susceptible to severe structural
> 60 cm: Grey clay; very coarse blocky to degradation under intensive
massive structure; common strong brown continuous cropping, and as a
mottles. result of pugging under stock
treading, if not carefully managed.
Page 25 of 43
Taranaki/M Manawatu Silt Loam NZ: Weathered 0 - 18 cm: Dark greyish brown silt loam, The soil is formed from weakly Occurs on higher flat Found on the levees of the
anawatu Fluvial Recent Soil very fine and fine polyhedral structure. weathered quartzo-feldspathic surfaces of the levÚe alluvial plain adjacent to the
sediment washed down off the adjacent to the river Rangitikei, Manawatu, Oroua
USDA: Dystric 18 - 30 cm: Olive brown silt loam; very Ruahine and Tararua Ranges and systems meandering and Otaki Rivers. Associated
Fluventic fine polyhedral structure. deposited on the lowland plains across the alluvial with the Kairanga (poorly
Eutrochrept as alluvium by the main river plain. drained) soils.
30 - 65 cm: Light olive brown silt loam; systems. Manawatu silt loams
medium and fine blocky structure. are well drained and have a
moderate permeability
> 65 cm: Light olive brown silt loam throughout the profile. While they
grading to sandy loam at depth; few have a high versatility and are
yellowish brown mottles; medium blocky suited to most land uses, they
structure. have a high structural
vulnerability and therefore need
to be managed well to maintain
their soil quality for economic and
environmental sustainability.
Page 26 of 43
Taranaki/M Marton Silt Loam NZ: Argillic-fragic 0 - 25 cm: Dark greyish brown to very The soil is formed from Occurs on flat and Found on the extensive flat to
anawatu Perch-gley Pallic dark greyish brown silt loam, fine moderately weathered quartzo- rolling uplifted rolling terraces on the west
Soil polyhedral structure. feldspathic loess and tephric Tokomaru marine-cut coast of New Zealand between
loess blown from the aggrading terrace surfaces. Palmerston North and
USDA: Aeric 25 - 50 cm: Greyish brown to light olive beds of rivers. Kawakawa Wanganui. Associated with
Kandiaqualf brown silty clay; common reddish yellow Tephra, a rhyolitic volcanic ash Kiwitea silt loam (moderately
and light olive grey mottles; few dark erupted from Lake Taupo about well drained), Dannevirke silt
brown clay cutans; coarse blocky 22,600 yrs BP, occurs between loam (well drained), Westmere
structure. 50û63 cm depth. Marton soils silt loam (well drained) and
are poorly drained with a imperfectly drained Westmere
50 - 63 cm: Light brownish grey to light moderate permeability in the mottled silt loam.
yellowish brown silt loam; many yellowish topsoil and slow permeability in
red and pale olive mottles; many dark the subsoil. Typically has large
brown clay cutans; medium blocky vertical grey veins between the
structure. prismatic, gammate structures.
Used extensively for cropping
63 - 105 cm: Light brownish grey to light (mainly barley, wheat and maize)
yellowish brown silty clay with many light and grassland farming. The soil
olive grey and strong brown mottles; has a high structural vulnerability
many dark brown clay cutans; extremely and therefore needs to be
coarse prismatic structure with large grey managed carefully to maintain
vertical veins. soil quality and productive
potential.
Taranaki/M Moutoa Humic Clay NZ: Acidic Recent 0 - 35 cm: Very dark grey humic clay, fine The soil is a deep, dark, strongly Occurs on flat low- Found on flat backswamps of
anawatu Gley Soil polyhedral structure. structured topsoil formed from lying backswamps alluvial floodplains. Associated
fine-textured quartzo-feldspathic and basin with very poorly drained Opiki
USDA: 35 - 50 cm: Dark brown clay; dark brown alluvium. It is very poorly drained, depressions of the silty clays where flood waters
Fluvaquentic mottles; medium blocky structure. with a moderately rapid alluvial floodplain. have occurred frequently in the
Endoaquoll permeability in the topsoil and past, and poorly drained
50 - 75 cm: Dark grey clay; dark brown very slow permeability in the Kairanga silty clays.
mottles; coarse columnar structure. subsoil. Very suited to cropping,
market gardening and grassland
75 - 90 cm: Very dark grey silty clay; farming when drained. High
medium blocky and polyhedral structure. watertables during wet winter
months can, however, give rise to
>90 cm: Dark grey silt loam; dark brown periodic waterlogging.
mottles; massive structure.
Page 27 of 43
Taranaki/M Ramiha Silt Loam NZ: Acidic 0 - 30 cm: Dark brown silt loam; very fine The soil is formed from quartzo- Occurs on the rolling Found on the rolling and hill
anawatu Allophanic Brown and fine polyhedral structure. feldspathic loess, tephric loess and hill slopes of hill slopes of the Tararua and
Soil and thin distal deposits of mainly and steepland Ruahine Ranges between 300
30 - 65 cm: Yellowish brown silt loam; andesitic tephra. A notable country as Ramiha to 600 m elevation with a
USDA: Andic fine polyhedral structure. feature of the Ramiha soil is the silt loam, rolling rainfall of 1300 to 1800 mm.
Haplumbrept very strongly developed topsoil phase and Ramiha Associated with well-drained
65 - 95 cm: Yellowish brown silt loam; structure and its very high silt loam, hilly phase Korokoro silt loam, hilly phase,
fine and medium blocky structure. aggregate stability. The soil is respectively. well-drained Ruahine silt loam,
well drained with a rapid steep phase, and well to
>95 cm: Light yellowish brown silt loam; permeability in the topsoil and somewhat excessively drained
medium blocky structure; grading to moderate permeability in the Makara silt loam, steep phase.
weathered greywacke at depth. subsoil. Very suited to grassland
farming and forestry.
Taupo Kaingaroa Sand NZ: Welded 0 - 7 cm: Very dark greyish brown sand The soil is formed from flow- The soils occur chiefly on the
Impeded Pumice with angular pumice lapilli. tephra during the Taupo eruption. Kaingaroa Plateau on flat to
Soil with a welded-compacted subsoil easy rolling topography. At lower
7 - 13 cm: Yellowish brown and dark which has a massive soil stucture elevation they are named
USDA: Typic brown sand with many angular pumice in situ breaking to single grain.. Atiamuri soils and in southern
Udivitrand lapilli. Vegetation was mostly tussock- Taupo where the flow-tephra is
low shrub before most of it was overlain by a thin layer of
13 - 26 cm: Light yellowish brown sand planted in plantation forest. Soils Ngauruhoe Tephra, they are
with many angular pumice lapilli. need to be ripped and mounded named Moerangi soils.
in preparation of planting with
26 - 100 cm: Pale yellow gravelly sand Pinus radiata.
with angular pumice lapilli and blocks
from 1 to 6 cm diam., compact in situ. Properties: Low nutrient levels,
especially
phosphorus,magnesium,nitrogen
and potassium.
Shallow topsoils with low percent
organic carbon. Low water-
holding capacity.
Page 28 of 43
Taupo Oruanui Sand NZ: Podzolic 0 - 19 cm: Black friable sand with few The soil is formed from airfall Extensive in northern Taupo.
Orthic Pumice soil pumice lapilli. Taupo Pumice (1850 10 years part of a climo sequence of
BP) under podocarp forest under Taupo-Oruanui-Tihoi soils.
USDA: Andic 19 - 27 cm: Dark reddish brown sand 1400 to 1800 mm annual rainfall Similar soils in southern Taupo
Haplorthod with many fine pumice lapilli. on rolling to hilly topography.The are Rangipo soils with thin
soil is well drained and suited to Ngauruhoe Tephra at the
27 - 38 cm: Brown to dark brown sand be used for beef and/or sheep surface and weathered
with many fine pumice lapilli. farming,plantation forestry and andesitic tephra below Taupo
pip fruit orchards. Pumice.
38 - 65 cm: Dark yellowish brown sand.
Properties: Strongly leached with
65 - 73 cm: Pale olive coarse sand with low levels of P,K,N,MgK,Bo. Low
abundant pumice lapilli on Pale yellow bulk densities and high plant
pumice gravel. available water holding capacity.
The soil has no physical root
barriers and is resistant to
compaction.Soil stucture is
weakly developed.
Taupo Taupo Sand NZ: Immature 0 - 9 cm: Very dark brown friable gritty The soil is formed from Taupo Generally in low rainfall areas
Orthic Pumice Soil sand. Pumice (1850 10 years BP) such as Taupo township on easy
under tussock-shrub vegetation rolling to hilly topography. Low
USDA: Typic 9 - 24 cm: Yellowish brown and olive and relatively low annual rainfall rainfall member of a climo-
Udivitrand yellow gravelly sand, friable with many (10000 - 1400 mm). This sequence of Taupo - Oruanui -
pumice and rhyolitic lapilli and fragments. resulted in thin topsoils and B Tihoi soils.
horizons.The soil is somewhat
24 - 34 cm: Pale brown gritty sand. excessively drained and summer
droughts are common.
34 - 64 cm: Very dark grey and very pale The soil is suited to sheep and
brown pumice gravel. beef farming, lucerne cropping,
and plantation forestry.
Properties: Low bulk densities, no

physical barriers to root
penetration, moderate water-
holding capacity, good resistance
to compaction despiteweakly
developed soil sructure. Low
nutrient levels (low P,K,N,Mg, Bo)
Page 29 of 43
Taupo Taupo Tephra NZ: TBA
USDA: TBA
Taupo Tihoi Loamy Sand NZ: Humose 0 - 9 cm: Black to very dark greyish The soil is formed from Taupo In northern Taupo at elevations
Orthic Podzol brown loamy sand. Pumice(1850 10 years BP) under of 1800 to 2000 m a.s.l. on
rimu forest and over 1800 mm rolling to hilly country. Part of a
USDA: Andic 9 -19 cm: Greyish brown fine sand. annual rainfall. It has a bleached climosequence of Taupo -
Haplorthod (whitish-looking) horizon below Oruanui - Tihoi soils.
19 - 38 cm: Dark reddish brown loamy the topsoil indicating very strong Maroa soils where Taupo
sand. leaching.Used for sheep and beef Pumice has eroded off and the
farming and plantation forestry. soil is formed from weathered
38 - 50 cm: Strong brown gritty sand on rhyolitic tephra.
Yellowish brown pumice gravel with dark Properties: Low levels of nutrients
grey fragments of rhyolite. (P,K,Mg,N,Bo). Low bulk density,
no root barriers, good water-
holding capacity and resistance to
compaction depite weakly
developed soil structure.
Page 30 of 43
Taupo Waipahihi Sand NZ: Immature 0 - 12 cm: Very dark brown sand with The soil is formed from water- The soil occurs in usually U-
Orthic Pumice Soil many fine rounded pumice lapilli. sorted Taupo Pumice that eroded shaped valley floors throughout
off adjacent hilly slopes.Rounded the pumice country. They are
USDA: Typic 12 - 29 cm: Yellowish brown and dark pumice lapilli layers,often cross- named Turangi soils in southern
Udivitrand yellowish brown gravelly sand with many beded, occur throughout the Taupo where the water-sorted
strong brown pumice lapilli. profile. Summer droughts occur pumice is overlain with thin
on this well to somewhat Ngauruhoe Tephra
29 - 100 cm: Light yellowish brown and excessively drained soil.
greyish brown pumiceous sand
containing much dark grey rhyolite. Properties: Very low nutrient
levels of
phosphate,magnesium,nitrogen.Al
so potassium and boron.There
are no root barriers, low bulk
densities and medium water-
holding capacity. Soil structure is
single grain.
Waikato Bruntwood silt loam NZ: Typic Impeded 0 - 20 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt The soil is formed in layers of Occurs on the edges Found on flat to undulating land
Allophanic Soil loam, fine polyhedra structure. alluvium. The soil is moderately of the raised flat to at intermediate levels between
well drained and has a moderate gently undulating higher and lower areas.
USDA: Aquic 20 - 60cm: Brownish yellow silt loam, permeability. Suited to intensive land of the plain. Associated with Horotiu silt
Hapludand medium polyhedral structure. grassland, mixed cropping and loam (better drained),
horticultural production. Bruntwood silt loam imperfectly
60 - 80 cm: Light yellowish brownsilt drained variant (imperfectly
loam, yellowish brown mottles. drained), and Te Kowhai silt
loam (poorly drained).
80 - 100+cm: Light grey loose sand or
moderately firm silty clay.
Page 31 of 43
Waikato Bruntwood silt loam NZ: Typic Gley 0 - 20 cm: Dark brown silt loam, fine The soil is formed in layers of Occurs on the edges Not a very common soil and
pale subsoil variant Allophanic Soil polyhedral structure. alluvium. The soil is imperfectly of the raised flat to rarely occurs in large areas.
drained and has a moderate gently undulating Often associated with Te
USDA: Aquic 20 - 50cm: Brownish yellow silt loam, permeability. Suited to intensive land of the plain. Kowhai soils where elevation
Hapludand yellowish brown mottles, medium grassland, mixed cropping and has increased slightly resulting
polyhedral structure. horticultural production. in improved drainage.
50 - 80 cm: Light grey silt loam, yellowish

brown mottles, moderately weak strength.
80 - 100+cm: Moderately weak sand or

moderately firm silty clay loam.
Waikato Hamilton clay loam NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 18 cm: Very dark greyish brown clay The soil is formed in strongly Occurs on low rolling Common on the rolling hills,
Granular Soil loam, medium polyhedral structure. weatherd volcanic ash of the hills of the Hamilton particularly North of Cambridge
Hamilton Ash Formation. The soil and Hauraki regions. and Hamilton City. Kainui silt
USDA: Typic 18 - 60cm: Dark yellowish brown clay, is moderately well drained with loam can occur with Hamilton
Haplohumult many mottles, clay coats, polyhedral moderatly slow permeability. soils but have siltier topsoils
structure. Suited to pastoral farming, and upper subsoils. There are
cropping and forestry. Root mats various phases of the Hamilton
60 - 80 cm: Strong brown clay, many can form at the boundary soil types depending on slope.
mottles, strongly developed polyhedral between ash layers.
and block structure, clay coats.
80 - 100+cm: Strong brown clay with

light grey mottled layers, coarse
polyhedral structure, abundant clay coats.
Page 32 of 43
Waikato Horotiu silt loam NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 20 cm: Dark brown silt loam, medium The soil is formed in layers of Occurs on the raised Occurs on the higher
Allophanic Soil polyhedral structure. alluvium. Sand or gravelly sand flat to gently undulations of the flat land and
can occur below 60 cm from the undulating land of can form either narrow or broad
USDA: Typic 20 - 60cm: Yellowish brown silt loam, surface. The soil is well drained the plain. areas of uniform soil. On the
Udivitrand medium polyhedral structure. with moderate permeability. edges of the raised land are
Suited to pastoral farming, Bruntwood soils, and the
60 - 80 cm: Yellowish brown to brownish horticulture, cropping and forestry. surrounding lower areas are Te
yellow sandy loam, very weak strength. Kowhai soils (see adjacent
figure). There are two other
80 - 100+cm: Loose yellowish brown Horotiu soil types; Horotiu
sand or gravelly sand. shallow silt loam (sand a gravels
less than 60 cm from the
surface), and Horotiu mottled
silt loam.
Waikato Matangi silt loam NZ: Typic Sandy 0 - 25 cm: Black to very dark greyish The soil is formed in layers of Occurs in the flat to Associated with the Te Kowhai
Gley Soil brown silt loam, often humic. alluvium. Both humic and peaty gently undulating silt loam, other soils that have
topsoils are present, as the soil land, forming in formed on alluvial material in
USDA: Aquantic 25 - 40cm: Light greyish brown to dark has formed adjacent to peat mounds and hollows lower lying areas (e.g. Ngaroto
Humaquept greyish brown loamy silt to loamy sand. swamps. This soil appears to of alluvial material. soils), and the Te Rapa soils
have has poor drainage, but it is that have similar humic and
40 - 60 cm: Very pale brown to yellowish not yet known whether this is still peaty topsoils.
brown fine to coarse loamy sand, reddish the case today.
yellow to strong brown mottles..
60 - 100+cm: Light grey to light yellowish

brown fine to coarse loamy sand, reddish
yellow to strong brown mottles.
Page 33 of 43
Waikato Motumaoho Silty Peat NZ: Acid Humic 0 - 25 cm: Black completely decomposed The soil is formed in layers of Occurs on flat to Widely distributed throughout
Organic Soil peat, fine polyhedral structure. completely to moderately gently undulating the Waikato lowland on the
decomposed peat with minor land on the margins perimeter of large peat swamps
USDA: Terric 25 - 65 cm: Dark brown moderately additions of silty volcanic ash, on of large peat swamps. or in old stream channels.
Medisaprist decomposed peat. clayey alluvium. The soil is poorly Associated with Te Kowhai
drained but artificial drainage peaty loams and Te Rapa soils
65 - 80 cm: Yellowish brown silty clay. means that many are now which have a shallower
moderately well drained. thickness of peat (less than 40
80 - 100+cm: Light yellowish brown silty Maintenance of the drainage cm thick). Soils formed in
clay. system is important to prevent deeper peat (Kaipaki and
flooding. Suited to pastoral Rukuhia soils) can occur nearby.
farming, but not suitable for
horticultural crops susceptible low
pH (acid) or wet soil conditions.
Waikato Rukuhia peat NZ: Acid Fibric 0 - 15 cm: Reddish black very weakly The soil is formed in layers of Occurs on flat to Widely distributed throughout
Organic Soil decomposed peat. peat over 100 cm thick with gently undulating the Waikato lowland on the
minor additions of silty volcanic land of large peat large peat swamps. Associated
USDA: Hemic 15 - 50 cm: Reddish black weakly ash and can have buried wood. swamps. The land with Kaipaki soils on the swamp
Medifibrist decomposed peat. The soil is very poorly drained. surface of the margins.
Maintenance of the drainage swamp is usually
50 - 100+ cm: Very dusky red weakly system is important to prevent domed and there
decomposed peat wth wood. flooding. The soil also has low can be peat
bearing strength and care must shrinkage on the
be taken not to overdrain the soil edges of deep drains.
so as to preserve the peat
resource. Suited to pastoral
farming, but not suitable for
horticultural crops susceptible to
low pH (acid) or wet soil
conditions.
Page 34 of 43
Waikato Silverdale silt loam and NZ: Mottled Orthic 0 - 20 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt The soil is formed in clayey Occurs on the raised Occurs on the higher
clay loam Brown Soil loam (or clay loam), fine polyhedral alluvium, with sands or gravel flat to gently undulations of the flat land and
structure. occurring below 60 cm from the undulating land of can form either narrow or broad
USDA: Oxyaquic surface. The soil is moderately the plain. Often in areas of uniform soil. In the
Kanhapludalf 20 - 60cm: Yellowish brown clay loam, well drained with moderately slow the same landscape surrounding lower areas are Te
few fine mottles, medium polyhedral permeability. Can be confused position as the Kowhai soils. Associated with
structure. with Horotiu soils but are more Horotiu soil. Horotiu soils. There are two
clayey and sticky, and have lower Silverdale variants, one with a
60 - 100+ cm: Loose yellowish brown P-retention. Suited to pastoral pale subsoil, and another which
gravelly sand. farming, cropping and forestry. is imperfectly drained.
Waikato Tamahere silt loam NZ: Artifact Fill 0 - 18 cm: Black, slightly gravelly coarseThe soil is formed in layers of Occurs on well Distributed mainly along main
Anthropic Soil loamy sand. gravelly sand dug up from below drained flat to gently rivers and streams occurring on
the soil and spread by the early undulating land. river terraces and slightly higher
USDA: Typic 18 - 33 cm: Dark brown, slightly gravelly Maori over the surface of what Remnants of the land of the Plain. Associated
Udivitrand coarse sand. was originally a Horotiu soil. The gravel borrow pits with Horotiu soils.
soils are well drained and often are often nearby and
33 - 46 cm: Yellowish brown, silt loam. have layers of charcoal and these now resemble
buried topsoil. Suited to pastoral smooth-sided craters
46 - 49 cm: Dark reddish brown, silt loam farming, horticulture and forestry. I 0 to 20 metres
with charcoal fragments. diameter and 2 to 4
metres deep.
49 - 95 cm: Yellowish brown silt loam.
95 - 100+ cm: Light brownish grey,

slightly gravelly coarse sand.
Page 35 of 43
Waikato Te Kowhai silt loam NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 20 cm: Dark greyish brown silt loam, The soil is formed in layers of Occurs in the lower Widely distributed throughout
Gley fine polyhedral structure. alluvium. The soil is poorly areas of flat to the Waikato lowland. Associated
drained resulting from compact gently undulating with other Te Kowhai soils (e.g.
USDA: Typic 20 - 50 cm: Light grey silt loam, many subsoil layers with slow land. Peaty loams, brown subsoils
Ochraqualf yellowish brown mottles, medium permeability. Suited to pastoral variants), also associated with
prismatic structure. farming, but not suitable for Bruntwood and Horotiu soils
horticultural crops susceptible to (see figure with Horotiu soil),
50 - 80 cm: Light grey silt loam, firm, wet soil conditions. and Te Rapa soils.
80 - 100+ cm: Light grey medium sand.
Waikato Te Kowhai, brown NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 20 cm: Dark greyish brown silt loam, The soil is formed in layers of Occurs in the lower Widely distributed throughout
subsoil variant Gley fine polyhedral structure. alluvium. The soil is poorly areas of flat to the Waikato lowland. Associated
drained resulting from compact gently undulating with other Te Kowhai soils (e.g.
USDA: Typic 20 - 50 cm: Light grey silt loam, many subsoil layers with slow land. Peaty loams, brown subsoils
Ochraqualf yellowish brown mottles, medium permeability. Suited to pastoral variants), also associated with
prismatic structure. farming, but not suitable for Bruntwood and Horotiu soils
horticultural crops susceptible to (see figure with Horotiu soil),
50 - 80 cm: Light grey silt loam, firm, wet soil conditions. and Te Rapa soils.
80 - 100+ cm: Light grey medium sand.
Page 36 of 43
Waikato Te Rapa peaty or humic NZ: Humose 0 - 20 cm: Black peaty or humic silt The soil is formed in layers of Occurs on low ridges Te Rapa peaty and humic silt
silt loam brown subsoil Orthic Podzol loam, medium granular or polyhedral alluvium. The soil is well drained or flat areas slightly loams occur adjacent to the Te
variant structure. with a moderate permeability. higher than the Rapa brown subsoil variant.
USDA: Humic Suited to pastoral farming, surrounding land, The Te Rapa shallow brown
Haplorthod 20 - 40cm: Brown to dark brown silt forestry, horticulture and cropping. commonly adjacent subsoil variant is similar to the
loam, moderately weak soil strength. to peat swamps. Te Rapa brown subsoil variant.
The Te Rapa shallow brown
40 - 80 cm: Dark yellowish brown silt subsoil variant has sand and
loam, moderately weak soil strength. gravels present less than 60 cm
from the surface, which makes
80 - 100+ cm: Yellowish brown sand or it a more excessively drained
gravelly sand. soil.
Waikato Te Rapa peaty or humic NZ: Humose 0 - 20 cm: Black to very dark greyish The soil is formed in layers of Occurs on low ridges The Te Rapa brown subsoil
silt loam Groundwater - brown peaty or humic silt loam, medium alluvium, and has a characteristic or broad flat areas, variant occurs next to the Te
gley Podzol polyhedral. topsoil of completely decomposed commonly adjacent Rapa silt loams, on slightly
black peaty or humic silt loam. to peat swamps. higher ground. The Te Rapa
USDA: Humic 20 - 35 cm: Dark brown to dark reddish The soil is moderately well pale subsoil variant occurs
Aquic Haplorthod brown silt loam, moderately weak soil drained with moderate adjacent to the Te Rapa silt
strength. permeability. Suited to intensive loams, on lower ground.
grassland, mixed cropping and
35 - 70 cm: Yellowish brown silt loam, horticultural production.
medium polyhedral structure.
70 - 100+ cm: Light grey sand to sandy

loam.
Page 37 of 43
Wellington/ Kourarau Hill Soils NZ: Typic Rendzic 0 - 20 cm: Very dark brown clay, strongly The soil is formed by weathering Occurs on Located in hills to the east of
Wairarapa Melanic Soil pedal, fine polyhedral macrofabric. of the underlying limestone. moderately steep the Wairarapa Valley, near
There is a sharp boundary hillsides, where Gladstone. Associated soils are
USDA: Lithic 20 - 50+ cm: white shelly limestone. between the topsoil and the limestone rock has Taihape hill soils formed in
Rendoll limestone. not been covered by siltstone, and Rangitumau
loess. steepland soils on steeper
adjoining slopes.
Wellington/ Taihape Steepland NZ: Mottled 0 - 4 cm: Brown silt loam. The shallow soil is formed by soil Found on moderately Occurs extensively throughout
Wairarapa Soils - Eroded Immature Pallic slip erosion of the originally deep steep and steep eastern Wairarapa hill country.
Soil 4 - 23 cm: Yellowish brown clay loam soil on compact weathered hillsides. Closely associated with deeper
with profuse light olive grey mottles, siltstone rock. The thin topsoil is uneroded version.
USDA: Aeric moderately pedal, coarse blocky developed immediately on the
Epiaquept macrofabric. exposed lower subsoil of the
former uneroded soil.. Soil water
23 - 43 cm: Light yellowish brown still perches on the slowly
weathered siltstone, with many light olive permeable siltstone layer, giving
grey clay loam veins, weakly pedal, very rise to grey colours and surface
coarse inclined lentiform macrofabric. wetness. The soil is classed as
imperfectly drained because of
43 - 73 cm: Light yellowish brown this, yet it also dries out
weathered siltstone with common light completely for weeks during
olive grey clay loam veins. summer and autumn.
Page 38 of 43
Wellington/ Taihape Steepland NZ: Mottled 0 - 17 cm: Very dark grey silt loam, The deep, uneroded soil is Found on moderately Occurs extensively throughout
Wairarapa Soils Uneroded Argillic Pallic Soil moderately pedal, medium polyhedral formed on compact weathered steep and steep eastern Wairarapa hill country.
macrofabric. siltstone rock. The pale layer hillsides. Closely associated with
USDA: Aquic below the topsoil shows the shallower eroded versions.
Haplustalf 17 - 30 cm: Light yellowish brown silt results of worm activity. Soil water
loam, weakly pedal. perches on the slowly permeable
siltstone layer, giving rise to grey
30 - 38 cm: Light brownish grey silt loam colours which extend through the
with yellowish brown mottles, moderately clayey layer into the mottled silt
pedal. loam. The soil is classed as
imperfectly drained because of
38 - 75 cm: Yellowish brown clay loam this, yet it dries out completely for
with strong brown and light brownish grey weeks during summer and
mottles, strongly pedal. autumn.
(out of picture see eroded variant):
Wellington/ Tauherenikau Shallow NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 18 cm: Very dark greyish brown silt Formed in ancient alluvial silt and Occurs on alluvial Located on the Wairarapa Plains
Wairarapa Silt Loam Brown Soil loam. gravel, and quite strongly plains and elevated and around Martinborough.
weathered. Moderately river terraces. Associated with deeper,and well
USDA: Dystric 18 - 34 cm: Gravelly yellowish brown silt permeable soil material over very drained Tauherenikau silt loam,
Ustochrept loam with some allophanic soil material. permeable gravels. A somewhat and imperfectly drained deep
excessively drained and droughty silty Martinborough loam.
34 - 80+cm: Yellowish brown sandy soil very suited to viticulture.
gravel.
Page 39 of 43
Wellington/ Wharekaka Silt Loam NZ: Mottled Fragic 0 - 20 cm: Dark greyish brown silt loam. The soil is formed in post-glacial Occurs on rolling Extends along the eastern side
Wairarapa Pallic Soil loess (wind deposited silt) and is loess-covered land. of the Wairarapa Plains, chiefly
20 - 64 cm: Yellowish brown silt loam old enough to have formed a between Martinborough and
USDA: Aeric with profuse light brownish grey and compact layer (fragipan) in the Gladstone. Poorly drained
Fragiaquept strong brown mottles, coarse blocky lower subsoil. It is imperfectly version occurs in lower
macrofabric. drained, because the fragipan is landscape positions. Wharekaka
slowly permeable, and water hill soils extend onto moderately
64 - 110+cm: Yellowish brown silt loam perches on it, causing the upper steep slopes and are
with common light brownish grey veins, subsoil to become very wet and moderately well drained.
extremely coarse columnar macrofabric, show grey and orange mottling.
hard fragipan.
Westcoast/ Ahaura Stony Silt Loam NZ: Acidic Mafic 0 - 16 cm: Dark greyish brown slightly The soil is well drained and Broad terraces Occur in the Grey Valley.
Southern Brown Soil gravelly silt loam. composed of abundant gravels, formed from alluvial
Alps many of which are very coarse in glacial deposits.
USDA: Typic 16 - 30 cm: Yellowish brown moderately size. The soil is formed from
Haplorthod gravelly silt loam. alluvial gravel and sand. Often
used for sheep and cattle grazing.
30 - 46 cm: Yellowish brown very gravelly
silt loam.
46 - 94 cm: Dark yellowish brown

extremely gravelly loamy sand.
Page 40 of 43
Westcoast/ Hochstetter Fine Sandy NZ: Acidic-mafic 0 - 15 cm: Dark red brown slightly Formed on glacial moraine and so Occurs in the Occur along the length of the
Southern Loam Allophanic Brown gravelly fine sandy loam, fine polyhedral contains gravel of various sizes. foothills of the Southern Alps, particularly on
Alps Soil structure. The soil has high P retention Southern Alps. the western side.
which is a feature also found in
USDA: Typic 15 - 23 cm: Yellowish brown very slightly Allophanic soils. The soil is mainly
Dystrochrept gravelly fine sandy loam, few humus under native forest. The soil is
coats. freely-draining.
23 - 45 cm: Yellowish brown very slightly

gravelly fine sandy loam.
45 - 75 cm: Pale yellow slightly gravelly

fine sandy loam.
75 - 100+ cm: Very gravelly coarse sand.
Westcoast/ Kini Peat NZ: Acid Humic 0 - 55 cm: Very fluid highly decomposed The soil is formed in forest peat Surfaces of outwash This soil is found across Last-
Southern Organic Soil brownish black forest peat with abundant over loess. The soil is extremely terraces and in Glaciation-age landforms
Alps tree roots. poorly drained, being saturated to intermoraine wherever drainage is impeded.
USDA: Typic the soil surface throughout the hollows, but more Small pockets of these soils
Medisaprist 55 - 90 cm: Very fluid to moderately fluid year. Naturally, the soil supports common on older occur in moraine country at the
dark brown silty peat with abundant tree very dense stands of small rimu loess-mantled wettest end of drainage
roots. and silver pine forest but once terraces. sequences from moraine crests
cleared supports only swamp through to toeslopes or
90 - 190 cm: Dark greyish yellow vegetation (sphagnum moss, intermoraine hollows. They are
moderately firm silt loam, massive. rushes, ferns) and gorse. Areas of associated with Kumara soils in
these soils have been utilised for these landscape positions.
190 - 200 cm+: Compact iron and commercial sphagnum moss Larger areas of are found on
organic-coated outwash gravels. production. The soil is so wet that outwash terraces. The soil is
the soil fauna include free usually associated with Kumara
swimming fish. soils on late Last Glaciation
terraces and Okarito soils on
older terraces.
Page 41 of 43
Westcoast/ Kumara Soils NZ: Silt-mantled 0 - 10 cm: Reddish black greasy peat The soil is formed in glacial Late Last Glaciation These soils are found on low
Southern Perch-gley Podzol derived from forest litter. outwash gravels. It is very poorly outwash terraces. terraces above present river
Alps drained and of very low natural floodplains. They are associated
USDA: Typic 10 - 34 cm: Brownish grey silt loam, fertility. Under natural conditions with extremely poorly drained
Alaquod weak polyhedral structure. it supports dense stands of rimu Kini peats in swales and former
forest with a sparse hardwood channels on the terraces. On
34 - 49 cm: Bluish grey silt loam, subcanopy; many of these stands higher terraces occur soils with
massive. have been logged throughout a similar appearance (Okarito
Westland. When developed it is soils) but they are formed in
49 - 90 cm+: Brownish black humic very difficult to maintain in loess and the grey silty subsoil
gravelly sandy loam, compact. pasture because of the poor is much deeper.
drainage and low fertility. Land
with these soils is often
recontoured into a hump and
hollow form to alleviate drainage
problems.
Westcoast/ Moana Soils NZ: Typic Perch- 0 - 20 cm: Very dark reddish brown forest The soil is formed in glacial till. Crest or shoulders of This soil found on late Last
Southern gley Podzol litter. The soil is relatively well drained moraine ridges or Glaciation moraines which are
Alps because of its landscape position hummocks. not mantled by loess. It is
USDA: Typic 20 - 25 cm: Greyish brown silt loam, fine although its permeability is associated with a number of
Epiaquod polyhedral structure. moderate to low in the subsoil. other soils along drainage
Fertility is extremely low and it is sequences from moraine crests
25 - 32 cm: Greenish grey silt loam, difficult to maintain in a healthy to toeslopes or intermoraine
coarse polyhedral structure to massive. pasture. Under natural conditions hollows. These include well
this soil supports mixed stands of drained Hochstetter soils on
32 - 51 cm: Yellowish brown gravelly silt large rimu and hardwoods. steep sideslopes, Flagstaff soils
loam, fine and medium polyhedral on footslopes and gentle
structure. sideslopes, and Kini peats or
Kumara soils in intermoraine
51 - 52 cm: Reddish brown weakly hollows and toeslopes or
cemented iron pan with dark greyish terraces.
brown organic stained silt loam above.
Page 42 of 43
Westcoast/ Okarito Silt Loam NZ: Silt-mantled 0 - 21 cm: Brown humic silt loam. A poorly drained low fertility acid Found on terraces of Common on the West Coast,
Southern Perch-gley Podzol soil with a dense slowly glacial alluvium. often in association with those
Alps 21 - 54 cm: Light grey silt loam, firm, permeable subsoil. Formed from Often with a rimu or with peaty of humic topsoils.
USDA: Placic massive, many thin humus and clay coats. loess over gravel. A very difficult swamp vegetation. Kumara Soils are similar but
Haplaquod soil to manage and drain. have formed from alluvium and
54 - 138 cm: Light olive grey silt loam, have a thinner silty covering.
firm, massive, many yellowish brown
mottles, humus and clay coats on cracks.
138 + cm: Olive brown very gravelly

coarse sand, loose.
Westcoast/ Waita Loamy Sand NZ: Typic Orthic 0 - 10 cm: Dark grey loamy sand. The soil is formed on coastal sand Found on the crest of Occur on the West Coast near
Southern Podzol Soil dunes at Haast, is well drained coastal dunes. Haast.
Alps 10 - 25 cm: Light grey sand. and has very low natural fertility.
USDA: Typic Currently under native forest.
Haplorthod 25 - 60 cm: Light yellowish brown sand, There is a distinct E horizon.
weak.
60+ cm: Very pale brown sand, loose.
Page 43 of 43

SoilsOfNZ by Region

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

SoilsOfNZ by Region

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Soils Of NZ: By Region

70 - 85 cm: Very dark greyish brown

28 - 40 cm: Light yellowish brown, silt The soil is droughty and is

Pastures respond well to

The soils tend to have high levels

Available water capacity is about

The vegetation is native beech

75 + cm: Pale grey soft sandstone, mant

45 - 72 cm: Brownish yellow clay, many

72 - 90 cm: Reddish yellow and red clay,

Properties:The soil is strongly

Properties: The soil is well drained Associated former

Bay of Te Ngae Road NZ: TBA TBA Location: North-

95 + cm: Shattered rock.

52 - 85 cm: Dark brown and dark reddish

85 + cm: Olive brown, very stony loamy

74 - 106 cm: Olive sand.

106 - 120+cm: Sandy gravel

45 - 72 cm: Dark brown clay loam,

72 - 110 cm: Dark brown clay, fine block

70 - 89 cm: Dark yellowish brown gravelly

85 - 111+ cm: Yellowish red clay loam,

80 - 110+ cm: Brownish yellow sand,

58 - 91+ cm: Dark red clay, fine block

85 - 110 cm: White silty clay, massive,

50+ cm: Dark brown stoney and

32+ cm: Hard, massive, jointed limstone.

67+ cm: Light olive brown boulders,

Properties: Low bulk densities, no

Taupo Taupo Tephra NZ: TBA

50 - 80 cm: Light grey silt loam, yellowish

80 - 100+cm: Moderately weak sand or

80 - 100+cm: Strong brown clay with

60 - 100+cm: Light grey to light yellowish

95 - 100+ cm: Light brownish grey,

80 - 100+ cm: Light grey medium sand.

80 - 100+ cm: Light grey medium sand.

70 - 100+ cm: Light grey sand to sandy

(out of picture see eroded variant):

46 - 94 cm: Dark yellowish brown

23 - 45 cm: Yellowish brown very slightly

45 - 75 cm: Pale yellow slightly gravelly

75 - 100+ cm: Very gravelly coarse sand.

138 + cm: Olive brown very gravelly

60+ cm: Very pale brown sand, loose.

You might also like