It is endemic to New Caledonia, where it occurs in small, scattered population along rivers.

[1] It used to be placed in its own genus Neocallitropsis but molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that it was nested within Callitris.

[3] It is an evergreen coniferous tree growing to 2–10 metres (7–33 ft) tall.

The leaves are awl-shaped, 1 centimetre (0.4 in) long, arranged in eight rows in alternating whorls of four; in overall appearance, the foliage is superficially similar to some species of Araucaria, though they are only very distantly related.

Callitris pancheri is dioecious, with separate male and female trees; the seed cones are 1.5–2.0 cm (0.6–0.8 in) long, with eight woody scales arranged in two whorls of four.