[8] Sparrman published the information in Museum Carlsonianum, four fascicules based on specimens collected while voyaging with Captain James Cook between 1772 and 1775.

Johann Georg Wagler's suggestion of the genus Ocydromus in 1830 to describe each weka as a species was generally adopted.

The North Island weka (G. a. greyi)[13] is represented by original populations in Northland and Poverty Bay, and by liberations elsewhere from that stock.

[4] Weka occupy areas such as forests, sub-alpine grassland, sand dunes, rocky shores and modified semi-urban environments.

Animal foods include earthworms, larvae, beetles, wētā, ants, grass grubs, slugs, snails, insect eggs, slaters, frogs, spiders, rats, mice, and small birds.

Stewart Island weka (G. a. scotti) have been observed preying on sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus) eggs and chicks.

[20] Where the weka is relatively common, their furtive curiosity leads them to search around houses and camps for food scraps, or anything unfamiliar and transportable.

Nests are made on the ground under the cover of thick vegetation, and built by making grass (or similar material) into a bowl to hold about four eggs.

It faces competition with introduced species for fruits and invertebrates, and suffers from the impact browsers have on forest composition and regeneration.

[25] Weka are significant to some Māori iwi (tribes) who admire their curiosity and feisty, bold personality traits which have led to them being relatively easy to catch.

Weka were used by the Māori as a source of food, perfume, oil to treat inflammations, feathers in clothing[26] and lures to catch dogs.

Early European explorers and settlers frequently encountered and utilised weka; they were called "bush hens".

[27] In October 2023 a two-person team competing in a reality show were disqualified after one killed and ate a weka in what he claimed was an act of desperation and hunger, despite knowing it was a protected species.