Even in 1934 Ernst Mayr, in his survey of mountain bird life during the Whitney South Sea Expedition, found the New Britain sparrowhawk to be very rare.

The altitudes reach 1,200 to 1,800 m. New Britain sparrowhawks nest like other birds, where they raise their young.

[3] The main threat to the continued existence of this species is habitat destruction which has led to the birds' decline in lowland forests.

The clearing of forest on the small islands leaves the species with less habitat, and a far less safe environment – leading to their vulnerability.

No conservation measures are known to have been taken; however it has been proposed that surveys be made to assess population size and observe nests, as well as to map the remaining forest.