North Island saddleback is one three extant species belonging to the New Zealand wattlebird (Callaeidae) family.
There are two recognised subspecies of rifleman; one in the North Island, and one in South Island. This species is the smallest New Zealand bird, and it belongs to an ancient group of passerines known as the New Zealand wrens.
Stitchbirds are a unique New Zealand endemic, belonging to a family entirely of their own (Notiomystidae).