Please note our Whitianga office will be closed to the public on Tuesday, 16 September and Wednesday, 17 September 2025. You can still contact our staff on freephone 0800 800 401 or via an online form.

Close alert
  1. Environment »
  2. Land and soil

Land use has changed dramatically over the last 150 years. How we manage the land is critical, as it affects erosion rates, soil quality and the habitat of native plants and animals. Waikato Regional Council regularly monitors and reports on versatility of our region's land and  soil resource, and changes in regional land use.

Find out more about our land and soil monitoring programmes

Land use in the Waikato

Land use in the Waikato

In the Waikato region, pastoral farming and exotic forestry are the main productive land uses.

Soil moisture levels

See the latest soil moisture levels across our regional monitoring sites.

Māori and the land

Toitu te whenua, whatua ngarongaro te tangata - people come and go, the land remains.

Regional land and soil issues

Find out about the distinctive features, land uses and related issues in topographical areas throughout the Waikato.

Regional land use

This map shows the main land uses in the Waikato region.

Regional stock density

This map shows stock density in the Waikato region.

Managing land and soil

All about soil

Healthy, well managed soil is vital to the Waikato region’s economy. We have many different soils and it’s important we use them wisely.

Managing land and soil

It’s important to know the limitations of your land and its soil, and what uses it is capable of supporting

Managing farm nutrients

Managing nutrients carefully can save you money and improve farm decision-making.

Managing farm runoff

Keeping stock out of waterway margins and wet areas such as drains, seeps and wetlands reduces stock losses, improves stock management and health, and improves water quality.

Managing peat

When managed properly peat is a valuable, highly productive resource. Find out more about managing peatlands in the Waikato.

Managing acid sulfate soils

Disturbance and drainage of acid sulfate soils poses a risk to the environment and infrastructure unless appropriately managed. Find out what to look for and where they are found.

Erosion

Erosion is a natural process, but people can greatly accelerate the rate of erosion by removing vegetation and using inappropriate land management practices.

Pugging and compaction

Find out more about how pugging and compaction can affect soils.

Cultivation

Find out more about cultivation and its effects on soil.

National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF)

Under the NES-PF, some forestry activities require notification to the regional council before the date on which the activity is planned to begin. A management plan is also required