Tokoeka cannot fly and probes leaf litter with its long bill to find small animals.
Its plumage ranges from rufous brown to dark brown among regional forms, with reddish-brown and black streaks. It has a long pale bill and short legs.
Tokoeka in New Zealand’s Haast region belong to the Southern Brown Kiwi group. Researchers analyzed feathers from five Junction Hill birds at 15 microsatellite loci and in mitochondrial DNA. The results showed genetic differences from the Upper Arawhata Valley population 18 kilometres away. All five birds also shared a mitochondrial haplotype not previously recorded.
The Junction Hill group was estimated at about 34 birds, or 17 pairs. From late 2019 to early 2024, researchers monitored 11 breeding pairs and recorded 26 incubation attempts; almost all ended early, and only two eggs had hatched by early 2025. The paper notes that stoat control was absent at Junction Hill and considers mammal-predator management among possible actions.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
The Junction Hill group is genetically distinct and was estimated at about 34 birds. Considering stoat control during the breeding season and tracking nest and chick survival can guide management for this population.