New softnose skate genus Brochiraja from New Zealand (Rajidae: Arhynchobatinae) with description of four new species.

The article provides information about the new softnose skate Brochiraja rajid genus from New Zealand waters. The group contains six species including Brochiraja asperula, B. spinifera and B. microspinifera. These species are closely related to members of the Indo-Pacific genus Notoraja and the presence of a bifurcated thorn on the mid-distal rostral cartilage that is strongly evident in juveniles and variably reduced in adults.