Soils Information

Providing information on the different soil types and how to look after them is the main method by which the Tasman District Council promotes wise management of the resource. Soil maps and soil descriptions are the main data sources.

There are over 140 different soil types in the Tasman Region. Different soils have different properties or characteristics. These characteristics mean that some soils will be more suitable for certain land uses than others. For example, some areas have soils and a climate particularly suited to growing pasture grasses, and others are more suited to growing fruit trees.

Published Soil Maps

Published maps and information for the district include:

• The “General Soil Survey of the South Island.” (1968) this was carried out to give an overall picture of soil pattern and to provide basic information for predicting future land use and broad fertility needs on a national basis. It was carried out at a scale of 4 miles to 1 inch. (1:250,000). 
• “Soils and Agriculture of the Waimea County” (1966). This report is a culmination of a number of surveys and maps carried out and compiled over the years dating back to the 1920’s. It included surveys of the flood plains and lower terraces to classify soils for tobacco culture and also included reconnaissance surveys for the General Soil Survey of the South Island. The Soils and Agriculture of the Waimea County was published at a scale of 1:127,000.

Both of these publications are available from the local Library.

New Soil Surveys

New soil surveys are currently being carried out by the Tasman District Council in the Golden Bay area. Surveys have been completed for:

• Takaka township/Motupipi Area
• Puramahoi Coastal Area
• East Takaka
• Kotinga

The mapping was carried out at a scale of 1:20000 and provides much greater detail and accuracy than the existing published surveys. The information gathered on each soil includes a profile description and land productivity rating. Maps and soil descriptions are available from the Tasman District Council, Richmond Office. This information can be used with confidence to indicate the type of soils you may find, their variability, textural, structural and drainage characteristics and potential uses.