This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1901 using two specimens collected by R. W. Fereday in Christchurch and named Gelechia hippeis.

[3] George Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in 1928 in his book The butterflies and moths of New Zealand under the name Phthorimaha hippeis.

[2] In January 1988 Klaus Sattler placed this species within the genus Kiwaia.

Fore wings elongate-lanceolate, acutely pointed; rather dark purplish-bronzy-fuscous; stigmata darker, obscurely defined, first discal obliquely beyond plical and near second : cilia pale whitish-ochreous, towards base bronzy-tinged.

Hindwings with veins 6 and 7 nearly parallel; whitish-grey; cilia pale whitish-ochreous.