Smith, CarolDeuss, KNelson, JLowe, DPenny, VMazzetto, J2025-01-192024-112024-11https://hdl.handle.net/10182/17980Welcome to the 2024 Moana Oceania Soil Judging Competition, held in Rotorua, New Zealand, from 28 November to 1 December 2024! This event serves as an exciting prelude to SOILS ROTORUA 2024 - the Joint New Zealand Society of Soil Science and Soil Science Australia Conference, "Te Kiri o Papatūānuku/ Weaving Soil Science Across Cultures and Events", scheduled for 2-5 December at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. This year’s competition is the product of 18 months of dedicated planning, building on the experience and expertise of past organising committees from both New Zealand and Australia. We’re fortunate to have had a dedicated organising committee and support from the SOILS ROTORUA 2024 conference team, all of whom have helped make this what we think may be the largest soil judging competition ever held worldwide! With over 200 participants, coaches, and volunteers from 20+ universities, nine regional councils, and more than 15 scientific and governmental organisations, societies, and consultancies across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands, this event promises an unparalleled experience for learning and networking in an engaging, hands-on environment. Soil judging provides a wonderful opportunity for students and coaches alike to develop the skills of describing soil profiles, and then translating this into a basic land capability assessment. It is a highly effective way to build practical, field-based skills in a supportive atmosphere. We would like to sincerely thank this year’s sponsors, whose generous support has enabled the New Zealand Society of Soil Science and Soil Science Australia to host the 2024 Moana Oceania Soil Judging Competition on this impressive scale. We encourage all participants to acknowledge and promote these sponsors on social media throughout the event. The competition includes two days of immersive training, which for many of you will be your first time in a soil pit. Most importantly, being an inductee into the ‘Art and Science’ of soil judging is not an impediment, as demonstrated in previous events where even first-time participants have excelled, sometimes achieving top placements on Competition Day. This is an opportunity to connect with experts, academics, students, land managers and consultants. For students, this event offers a glimpse into potential careers in research, teaching, consultancy, and various roles across academia, government, and the private sector. As the event concludes, we hope you will find that this hands on learning experience has enriched your understanding and boosted your confidence with soil science. We encourage you to share your experience with fellow students and colleagues, inspiring them to come along to the next Australian Soil Judging Competition in Armidale, NSW in November 2025.96 pages© New Zealand Society of Soil Sciencemoana oceaniasoil judgingsoil scienceOther