This seabird is recorded in northern New Zealand waters, with the outer Hauraki Gulf identified as a core area of activity during the New Zealand summer.
The identification account describes blackish-brown head, breast, and upperparts, a sharply defined white rump, a white belly with variable dark streaking, and a large white underwing panel.
It is usually solitary at sea and feeds by dipping or surface-seizing. Crustaceans were recorded in a small number of captured birds’ regurgitations.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.