zonal, climate related, pattern of soils. Norman H. Taylor,
following on from Leslie I. Grange (who developed the first
functioning soil classification in New Zealand in 1944)
captured the essence of what came to be known as the ‘New
Zealand genetic soil classification’ which was first published
in a book entitled ‘Soil Survey Method’ in 1962, and then in
more detail in 1968 in ‘Soils of New Zealand, Part 1’.
However, the various classes of soils were not defined in
detail and thus were difficult to apply consistently. In the late
1970s and early 1980s Soil Taxonomy (which had been
recently developed by the United States Department of
Agriculture) was trialled in New Zealand, as a possible
alternative, with varying success. However, in 1983, it was
decided to develop a modern soil classification system for
Fig. 1.9 New Zealand soil
textural triangle. For example, a
soil with 50% sand, 20% clay,
and 30% silt would be defined as
a clay loam (adapted from the
New Zealand Soil Description
Handbook)
Fig. 1.10 Soil aggregate shapes
(adapted from the New Zealand
Soil Description Handbook)
1.4 New Zealand Soil Classification
13