[5] It was formally described in 2023, by herpetologists Dylan van Winkel, Sarah Jane Wells, Nicholas Harker and Rod Hitchmough, based on morphological and genetic differences.

The scientists who described the korowai gecko estimate the two species diverged in the mid to late Pliocene era.

[6] The korowai gecko is a grey or sandy brown colour, and has an inverted "v" marking between its eyes, and have lighter stripes on the back halves of their bodies.

[8] Auckland Council senior ecologist Melinda Rixon is concerned that off-road vehicle access in the gecko's habitat on Muriwai Beach may be adversely affecting the species.

[4] As of 2021 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the korowai gecko as Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.