It is the isolated nominate subspecies of the subantarctic snipe that is endemic to the Auckland Islands, a subantarctic island group south of New Zealand in the Southern Ocean.

The Auckland snipe was first collected in 1840 both by Charles Wilkes’ United States Exploring Expedition, and James Ross’ Erebus and Terror Antarctic expedition, with the British specimens forming the basis for George Gray's 1844 description.

The subspecies is generally similar to others in the genus, being a small, brown, cryptically patterned snipe with a long bill, short neck, tail and legs, and short, rounded wings.

[2] It inhabits the islands’ tussock grasslands, Olearia forest, shrubland and herbfields.

[2] Breeding is seasonal, with a records of egg-laying from late September to early November with chicks present in November–December.