[4] The epithet aquilonius is derived from the Latin term for the north wind, aquilo, and is a reference to the northerly distribution of that distinguished the new taxon.

The vernacular "Northern New Zealand Dotterel" was provided by J. E. Dowding when separating the taxon from those found at the South Island as a subspecies of Charadrius obscurus.

Recreational development, pesticide poisoning, invasion by noxious weeds, and storms pose additional threats.

[6] A survey following the use of brodifacoum, aerially broadcast as pellets to control pests species of rats and possums at the Tawharanui Regional Park, found the disappearance or death of half the local population followed the poisoning program.

A link was found in the accumulation of the toxin in species of Talorchestia, small insects known as sandhoppers that are consumed by this plover, and analysis of a liver from a deceased specimen showed a high level of brodifacoum.