Nemadactylus macropterus was first formally described in 1801 as Cichla macroptera by the German naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster with the type locality given as New Zealand.

[4] Genetic and morphological analyses strongly support the placement of Nemadactylus in the family Latridae, alongside almost all of the other species formerly classified in the Cheilodactylidae.

[1] This is a large species with an overall silvery colour with a wide black band or crescentic marking which runs from the nape to the base of the pectoral fin.

[7] There are reports of this species from South America and islands in the southern Indian Ocean but it is thought that these may be misidentifications of similar looking congeners.

[6] There are known regular spawning aggregations in New Zealand waters and individuals have been known to migrate up to 500 km (310 mi) from their home range to breed.