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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:
Connection over extraction – We prioritise relationships between soil, people, and place.
Context matters – Every whenua has its own story.
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.
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