The northern form of this plover lives on New Zealand’s North Island. Its underside changes color with the season, and males tend to be more richly colored than females.
In the northern subspecies on the North Island, the upperparts are brown. The underparts are off-white in autumn and early winter, becoming orange-red later; males tend to be darker than females.
The northern subspecies nests in open sand or gravel near beaches and lagoons. After breeding, birds gather at estuaries, where adults may find new partners and young birds pair for the first time.
The northern form usually lays three eggs in a shallow ground scrape. Both parents incubate, usually for 28–30 days. Chicks take an average of about six weeks to become able to fly.
Adults distract threats from nests and chicks, including by feigning injury. Small chicks crouch and stay still; older chicks run to nearby cover and hide.
The northern form has a heavy black bill and gray legs. Birds in their first winter have white underparts and yellowish to pale gray legs.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.