The Topoclimate Survey of Southland and South Otago was carried out over three years, between 1998 and 2001. It covered approximately 825,000 hectares of the intensively farmed land of the region. The results of the survey were published as a series of 36 district maps at a scale of 1:50,000.

This scale is capable of identifying significant soil variations at the farm level, which is sufficient for most land users. It is more detailed than any previous surveys of Southland, although some intensive surveys have been carried out previously on small portions of the region. This survey is now available on line with a map showing soil boundaries and soil names.