is an allozymatic (reproductively isolated) species of velvet worms in the Peripatoides novaezealandiae-complex,[2] endemic to New Zealand.

[6][7] The head has three pairs of modified limbs: the antennae, the jaws, and the oral papillae.

[6][7] Their skin is velvety in texture and the sticky slime projected from their oral papillae does not stick to it.

[6] All species in the P. novaezealandiae-complex have fifteen pairs of unjointed, hollow cone-like limbs called lobopods.

[2] Males can reach a weight of up to 200 mg while adult female weight varies more widely, with some specimens of over 800 mg.[11] Morphologically, males can usually be distinguished from females by the presence of a pair of posterior orange papillae which mark the opening of the anal glands.

[11] Males in the P. novaezealandiae-complex do not have the pheromone-producing crural glands found in many other Onychophora, such as Euperipatoides rowelli.

is limited to Wellington, Wairarapa, and southern Hawke's Bay regions in places such as Miller reserve, Otari, Akatarawa, Waiohine, Carterton, and Pahiatua.

[2][11] Sufficient moisture is vital for all Onychophora as they cannot regulate water loss due to a lack of both a waxy cuticle and tracheal spiracles.

[7] This means embryos are surrounded by egg membranes and derive nutrition from a yolk while inside the ovary.

[11] Evidence suggests sperm transfer in this species is dermal-haemocoelic (through skin into the body cavity), but this has yet to be confirmed.

[13] Peripatids use their oral papillae to shoot out sticky slime which thickens upon contact with the air and covers prey in a strong, net-like structure.

[6][14] They approach and use their jaws to puncture the cuticle of the trapped animal, injecting digestive enzymes and sucking up the liquefied remains.

[13] Both relationships may be better characterised as phoresy, where species are transported by the peripatus without causing harm.