This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found all around New Zealand and as far south as the New Zealand subantarctic islands. The species was first documented in 1833 by Jean René Constant Quoy and Joseph Paul Gaimard.
Four subspecies were previously recognised but they are currently considered to be taxonomically invalid based on shell morphology and genetic data. B. v. vittatum (the nominate subspecies Buccinulum vittatum vittatum) is found in the northern half of the North Island; B. v. bicinctum is found on the Chatham Islands; B. colensoi is found on the South-East coast of the North island; B. v. littorinoides in Cook Strait, the sub-Antarctic islands and South Island.