It is presumed to inhabit evergreen forest with similar ecological requirements to Kagu, Rhynochetos jubatus (Stokes 1978, Ekstrom et al. 2000, 2002). Historical records have been from near sea-level to c. 1,000 m, but recent reports have been from inaccessible montane forests, presumably as these areas have fewer introduced mammalian predators. Although two recent reports from marshland seem unlikely (Ekstrom et al. 2000), it has been suggested that this habitat may be the last refuge from dogs and pigs (J. Morel in Ekstrom et al. 2000). It probably feeds on a variety of invertebrates including earthworms (Taylor 1998).

Gallirallus lafresnayanus is known from at least 17 specimens taken between 1860 and 1890 from New Caledonia (to France), apparently including Ile des Pins (Fullagar et al. 1982). There are a scattering of later reports from near Mt Panié in the north and the headwaters of Rivière Blanche in the south in the 1960s and in 1984 (on Mt Panié) suggesting that it may yet survive in small numbers (Stokes 1979, Balouet 1986, Ekstrom et al. 2000). 'Gallirallus-like calls' were also heard in Mount Aopinie in 1996 (Ekstrom et al. 2000). In 1944, several locals reported the existence of the species in Mount Mou (Warner 1947, Stokes 1979), however, persistence of the species on Mount Mou seems unlikely as no large areas of thick forest remain on or near the area (Stokes 1979, cited by Ekstrom et al. 2000). However, many subsequent surveys, including the ongoing conservation action in the Mt Panié massif, have failed to detect the species. There was a recent report of a sighting in the north of Grande Terre, reinitiating the search to rediscover the New Caledonian Rail (SCO in litt. 2023).

Conservation Actions Underway
This species may be benefiting from the conservation action for Rhynochetos jubatus, particularly the control of introduced mammalian predators (Ekstrom et al. 2000). Recent surveys have failed to detect the species, however there was a recent report of a sighting in the north of Grande Terre, reinitiating the search to rediscover the New Caledonian Rail (SCO in litt. 2023).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further intensive surveys in remote forests (Ekstrom et al. 2000), although these should be cost effective and not divert funding away from conservation of other threatened habitats and species. Search other areas with high population densities of R. jubatus, another flightless bird, as these areas may have avoided the pressures that have caused the species' decline elsewhere. Publicise the search for this species amongst forest workers and villagers (Ekstrom et al. 2000).