Nitrous oxide emissions from grazed pastures were measured at four sites for a 2 year period. Sites differed in drainage class and N cycle characteristics. At two intensively farmed sites on Kairanga silt loam, which is poorly drained, daily emissions ranged from 0 to 100 g N ha-1 day-1 and annual emission was in the range 3-5 kg N2O-N ha-1. Emissions occurred when the soil was near or above field capacity indicating denitrification is the probable source of N2O. Multiple regression analysis, using soil water content, NO3-, NH4+ and temperature, gave r2 = 0.44 and 0.57 at sites 1 and 2 respectively. Soil water content and NH4+ were significant variables. Emissions at a low fertility hillside site were very low and an annual emission of 0.5 kg N2O-N yr-1, or less, was indicated. The highly fertile hillside site also showed low emission values. It is suggested that grazing animals may have a large impact on emissions through hoof damage on wet soils.