In New Zealand, Pteris pacifica has an erect or short-creeping, scaly rhizome; rhizome scales narrowly ovate, with dark centres and pale erose margins. Fronds 200–760 mm long. Stipes yellow-brown to chestnut-brown, 160–310 mm long; rachises not winged. Laminae mostly 1‑pinnate-pinnatifid but 1-pinnate-bipinnatifid at base and abruptly narrowed to a pinnatifid terminal segment, ovate or elliptic, 210–460 mm long, 80–200 mm wide. Primary pinnae in 5–6 pairs; longest primary pinnae 60–200 mm long, stalked, divided almost to the midrib into secondary segments of ± uniform length, shortening only towards the apices; adaxial surface with spine-like growths on the costae; basal primary pinnae with 1–2 elongated pinnatifid segments up to 100 mm long on the basiscopic side; ultimate segments up to 15 mm long and 3 mm wide, margins entire, apices obtuse. Veins free. Sori continuous along sides of ultimate segments.
North Island: Auckland
Altitudinal range: 20–40 m.
Recorded only in parts of Auckland city.
Occurs naturally in Malesia, Australia (Queensland), Norfolk Island, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Recorded as occurring spontaneously in urban gardens.
Heenan et al. (2002). Voucher AK 205931, 1991.