Soils Of NZ: By New Zealand Classification Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Acid Fibric Organic Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Acid Humic Organic Soil
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 1 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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.
New Zealand Classification: Acid Recent Gley Soils
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 2 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Acidic Allophanic Brown Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Acidic Mafic Brown Soil
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 3 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Acidic Orthic Brown Soil
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 polyhedral structure.
95 + cm: Shattered rock.
New Zealand Classification: Acidic Recent Gley Soil
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 4 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Acidic-mafic Allophanic Brown Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Allophanic Firm Brown Soil
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 5 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Argillic-fragic Perch-gley Pallic Soil
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.
Page 6 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Artifact Fill Anthropic Soil
Waikato Tamahere silt loam NZ: Artifact Fill 0 - 18 cm: Black, slightly gravelly coarse The 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.
New Zealand Classification: Calcareous Orthic Melanic Soil
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 7 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Densipan Perched-gley Ultic Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Fluvial Recent Soil
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 8 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Fragic Allophanic Brown Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Humose Groundwater - gley Podzol
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 9 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Humose Orthic Podzol
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.
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.
Page 10 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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.
New Zealand Classification: Humus-pan Densipan Podzol
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.
Page 11 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Immature Orthic Pumice Soil
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)
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.
Page 12 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Mottled Argillic Pallic Soil
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):
New Zealand Classification: Mottled Duric Pallic Soil
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 13 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Mottled Fluvial Recent Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Mottled Fragic Pallic Soil
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.
Page 14 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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
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.
Page 15 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Mottled Immature Pallic Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Mottled Orthic Brown Soil
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.
Page 16 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Mottled Yellow Ultic Soil
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.
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 17 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Mottled-acidic Orthic Brown Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Nodular Typic Oxidic Soil
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.
Page 18 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Orthic Typic Oxidic Soil
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
New Zealand Classification: Pallic Orthic Brown Soil
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).
Page 19 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Perch-gleyed Albic Ultic Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Podzolic Orthic Pumice soil
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.
Page 20 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Silt-mantled Perch-gley Podzol
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/ 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.
Page 21 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Aged-argillic Semiarid Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Typic Allophanic Brown Soil
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 22 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Fluvial Recent Soil
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.
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 23 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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 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
Page 24 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Gley Allophanic Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Typic Immature Pallic Soil
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 25 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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.
New Zealand Classification: Typic Impeded Allophanic Soil
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 26 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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.
Page 27 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Orthic Allophanic
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 28 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Orthic Allophanic Soil
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.
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.
Page 29 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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 polyhedral structure.
85 - 111+ cm: Yellowish red clay loam, coarse polyhedral structure.
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.
Page 30 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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.
New Zealand Classification: Typic Orthic Brown Soil
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 31 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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.
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.
Page 32 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Orthic Gley
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. coarse polyhedral structure.
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. coarse polyhedral structure.
80 - 100+ cm: Light grey medium sand.
Page 33 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Orthic Gley Soil
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.
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 34 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Orthic Granular Soil
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.
New Zealand Classification: Typic Orthic Oxidic Soil
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 polyhedral structure.
58 - 91+ cm: Dark red clay, fine block structure.
Page 35 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Orthic Podzol Soil
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
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 36 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Orthic Recent Soils
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.
New Zealand Classification: Typic Perch-gley Podzol
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 37 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Rendzic Melanic Soil
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.
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 38 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Sandy Brown Soils
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.
New Zealand Classification: Typic Sandy Gley Soil
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 39 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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.
New Zealand Classification: Typic Sandy Recent Soil
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.
Page 40 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Typic Tephric Recent Soil
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.
Page 41 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
New Zealand Classification: Weathered Fluvial Recent Soil
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.
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 42 of 43 Region Name/ Classification (NZ Soil Description Features Landscape Distribution and Soil Picture Soil Type and USDA) Position Associated Soils
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.
New Zealand Classification: Welded Impeded Pumice Soil
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.
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