Off Otago Heads, 72 fathoms (type).
Narrowly tapered, with flattened whorls. Axials broad and flat, vertical, about 19 on penultimate. Height 4.1 mm., width 1.0 mm. Strioturbonilla taiaroa Laws, 1937, p. 170.

Shell small, semi-transparent, elongate-conic, of 7 post-nuclear whorls; outlines of spire straight. Whorls flatly convex, shouldered at posterior suture, a little constricted to lower suture. Protoconch heterostrophic, of 2 helicoid volutions; nucleus not immersed, its lower edge tangent to succeeding suture. Axial ribs (about 19 on penultimate whorl) broad, flattish, usually vertical but slightly oblique to right in type, straight; interstices much narrower than ribs (about one-third width in type; in some specimens almost linear); ribs and grooves terminated abruptly at periphery of last whorl; base sometimes with faint indications of obsolete axials. Spiral sculpture of very fine scratches or weak, wavy ridges in intercostal spaces and on axials, but obscure on base. Body-whorl shouldered at suture, lightly convex above periphery, which is well and evenly rounded; base. convex. Aperture broadly ovate to subquadrate; columella reflexed, oblique to left, straight above, arcuate towards basal lip, which is broadly rounded; outer lip turned in strongly to suture, straight, descending vertically; columellar fold not seen.
Height, 4.1 mm.; width, 1.0 mm. (holotype).
Locality: Off Otago Heads, in 72 fathoms. Recent.
Type in Auckland Museum (ex writer's collection).