 A 2014 genetic study found that it formed a clade with the Invisible rail of Indonesia with a common origin around 10 million years ago, as the sister clade to the "Gallirallus" radiation.It was long thought that the Hawkins' rail was extinct prior to European discovery, however recent evidence suggests that the bird may have become extinct much later.An 1895 letter from Sigvard Dannefaerd belonging to financier/zoologist Walter Rothschild describes the appearance, behaviour, and Moriori hunting method concerning the species.