Examination of the taxonomy of Coenocorypha snipe has been hindered by lack of material, erroneous locality data, misidentified specimens and confused nomenclature.

Its prehistoric distribution comprised the North Island where subfossil remains have been found in several places.

It became extinct on the mainland of North Island following the occupation of New Zealand by Polynesians (the ancestors of the Māori people) and the associated introduction of Pacific rats (Rattus exulans).

[3][5][6] According to Oliver, “About 1870 two snipe were seen on Little Barrier Island by Captain Bennett of the schooner Mary Ann.

Hill and is the basis of the following account.”[2] In the year 1820, Richard Cruise recorded shooting a snipe on Motukorea, also known as Browns Island.