Lithodes aotearoa is a New Zealand species of king crab.

[2] It had formerly been confused with L. longispina and L. murrayi, but neither of those species are found in New Zealand.

[2] It is the second most widespread and common lithodid in New Zealand waters after Neolithodes brodiei,[2] and the New Zealand Department of Conservation classifies it as "Not Threatened".

[1] L. aotearoa is deep-purplish red in colour and has prominent, slender spines on its dorsal surface with the area inbetween being mostly smooth.

[2] They have a pyriform carapace having been measured as large as 195.0 mm (7.68 in) in postrostral length and 199.1 mm (7.84 in) in width in males.