This species is distributed between about 10 fragmented and isolated populations across a total range of over 10,000 km sq. Part of an ancient frog lineage that diverged on the former supercontinent of Gondwana over 200 million years ago, this species possesses a number of primitive traits, such as an absence of eardrums and vocal chords. Unlike the other three extant species of native New Zealand frogs, Hochstetter’s frog is semi-aquatic, living in and around streams in shaded forest areas. This species is primarily threatened by a virulent fungal disease (chytridiomycosis), as well as habitat destruction caused by the creation of pine plantations, road building, and feral goats and pigs.