State of the Soil – A Case Study with Rongowhakaata

In early 2025, I had the opportunity to work with Rongowhakaata Iwi on a kaupapa close to my heart: reconnecting with soil as a living system — not just something we grow things in, but a foundation for wellbeing, resilience, and whakapapa.

This case study offers a snapshot of that work. It highlights the differences in soil health between farmland, restoration areas, and native ecosystems, using a combination of scientific testing and systems thinking to guide long-term land management decisions.

Project Overview

At Radice Soil Solutions, our approach is built around three core principles:

1. Connection over extraction – We prioritise relationships between soil, people, and place.

2. Context matters – Every whenua has its own story.

3. Restore conditions for life – We don’t just “fix” problems; we help soil ecosystems rebuild themselves.

For this project, we used a mix of techniques:

• Soil Microscopy

• eDNA analysis

• Nutrient and organic matter testing

• Visual Soil Assessments (VSA)

• Earthworm counts

Each method helped build a full picture of what’s happening underground — and what’s possible with the right care.

Key Findings

Farmland (Cropping Systems)

• Bacteria-dominated soils, low fungal activity

• High compaction and poor structure

• Low organic matter and nutrient retention

• Signs of past degradation due to tillage and agrichemicals

Restoration & Native Ecosystems

• Strong fungal presence and better microbial diversity

• Higher organic matter and carbon levels

• Improved structure, porosity, and nutrient cycling

• Native blocks showed the richest biodiversity and biological balance

What This Means

Fungal-rich, carbon-dense soils are more resilient, biologically active, and self-regenerating. The native ecosystems on this whenua are not just surviving — they’re teaching us how to build back healthy soil in areas under pressure.

It’s a clear reminder that the more we align with natural systems, the more we can regenerate life — not just productivity.

Recommendations Moving Forward

• Reintroduce biology: Inoculate cropping soils with microbes from healthy sites

• Enhance structure: Use deep-rooted plants, compost, and reduce tillage

• Support biodiversity: Keep ground cover, introduce diverse seed mixes

• Monitor: Use scorecards that integrate mātauranga Māori and biological indicators

📥 Download the Case Study

The downloadable versionr (in the form) gives you a feel for the kind of insights we gather and how they can support land restoration and decision-making.

Final Thoughts

This project reminded me that soil restoration isn’t just technical — it’s cultural, ecological, and deeply personal. I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of this mahi with Rongowhakaata and look forward to where it leads next.

If you’re interested in running a similar assessment for your whenua, please get in touch.