Norman H. Taylor Memorial Lecture 2025

15 December 2025 - 02 February 2026

Region(s): Waikato, Manawatu- Whanganui, Canterbury

Type(s): presentations

Steve Wakelin is the 2025 New Zealand Society of Soil Science Norman H. Taylor Memorial award winner – in recognition of his outstanding contributions to soil science in Aotearoa.

Steve will present his lecture: “Past, present, and future of soil microbiology for New Zealand’s productive sectors: how managing soils for productivity could paradoxically benefit natural ecosystems by reducing land pressure”.

Steve is a soil microbiologist specialising in how below-ground microbial communities shape ecosystem function, soil and plant productivity, and resilience. His research combines molecular tools, ecological modelling, and field studies to understand how soil microbes respond to land use, climate, and management practices. He works for the newly formed Bioeconomy Science Institute and is based in Christchurch.

Steve will speak at the following locations:

Hamilton: 15 December 2025, 1:00 pm, University of Waikato, S-Block (S1.02). A light lunch will be served in S Block from 12:00 pm, all are welcome. Please RSVP to Louis.Schipper@waikato.ac.nz.

Lincoln: 17 December 2025, 1:00 pm, Lincoln University, S-Block (S1). Lincoln University Soil Society will initially host a mini forum with presentations from soils students (1:00-2:00 pm – all welcome), with the Norman Taylor lecture commencing at 2:00 pm. Followed by refreshments and cutting of the World Soil Day cake. Please RSVP to Brendon.Malcolm@plantandfood.co.nz.

Palmerston North: 2 February 2026, 4:00 pm, Massey University, AH Lecture Block. Refreshments provided after the lecture. Please RSVP to C.W.N.Anderson@massey.ac.nz.