It is somewhat of a biogeographical anomaly, being the only species in the genus Lewinia to have reached the islands of New Zealand, skipping over[citation needed] the main islands to reach the remote Auckland group.

The flanks are barred black and white and the head is red-brown, with a red bill.

The few nests that have been found contained clutches of two eggs, probably laid in early November.

The Auckland rail is highly secretive and was considered to be extinct for many years before its rediscovery.

The species is currently considered vulnerable by the IUCN and BirdLife International due to the possibility of rats or other predators reaching the two islands it survives on.