August 2026 sees an update to S-map funded through regional councils, SSIF leverage, and MfE (now MCERT). For more information on the detail of these updates see here.
The update consists of 923,407 ha, with areas within each region shown in Table 1. The location of mapping areas are shown in Figure 1.
As with previous annual updates to S-map online, Overseer Ltd will not be updating all analyses automatically following the update. Instead there is a "Check for S-map soil updates" button within each farm account. For guidance on using this see here.
The different types of mapping coverage in this update includes:
- Predominantly new area mapping in the Kaitaia, Waikato west coast, lower Oroua / Kiwitea, Murchison and lower Waitaki areas
- Remapping of the Tauranga Harbour North area
- Linework adjustments to polygon boundaries to better align with Lidar in Manawatū – Whanganui (Kairanga, Rangitikei, Mangatainoka), Otago (Manuherikea), and South Island Dry-Greywacke mountains soilscape.
- The update also includes the usual suite of database rules-based corrections across the country.
Table 1 Location and extent of new and updated mapping added in August 2026
| Region | Location | Area (ha) |
| Northland | Kaitaia | 11,145 |
| Waikato | West Coast – between Tirua Point and Ōpārau | 99,270 |
| Bay of Plenty | Tauranga Harbour North | 33,311 |
| Manawatū - Whanganui | Lower Oroua/Kiwitea/Ashhurst | 34,913 |
| Manawatū - Whanganui | Kairanga, Rangitikei, Mangatainoka | 178,382 |
| Tasman | Murchison | 5,232 |
| Canterbury | Lower Waitaki | 12,001 |
| Otago | Manuherikea | 16,605 |
| South Island | Dry greywacke mountains | 532,548 |
| Total mapping released in August 2026 update | 923,407 |
Figure 1 Locations of individual survey areas added to S-map since 2020