It was described from subfossil bones in 1892 by Scottish explorer, ornithologist and botanist Henry Forbes, who was director of the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch at the time.

They have variously been considered full species, subspecies or lacking in taxonomic distinction.

[2] A review by Trevor Worthy and Richard Holdaway in 2002 recommended that the two coots be treated as separate species.

Its large salt glands indicate that it inhabited the brackish waters of Te Whanga Lagoon.

The common occurrence of its bones in middens show that it was a frequent food item, with over-hunting the main cause of its extinction.