Abstract
Sticherus flabellatus (R.Br.) H. St John in New Zealand occurs not only in numerous localities in the northern part of the North Island but also near Takaka and Stockton, in the South Island. Its occurrence at the South Island sites is documented and discussed in relation to other plants with similar disjunct distributions. Four suggestions are offered to account for the distribution of this species in New Zealand. The one favoured is that North Island and South Island populations have been established independently by long distance dispersal from Australia.