A new morwong, Cheilodactylus (Goniistius) francisi, is recognised from southwest Pacific islands (Lord Howe Island, Middleton Reef, Kermadecs, and probably Elizabeth Reef, Norfolk Island and New Caledonia). Distinguishing features from C.(G) vittatus (Hawaiian Islands) comprise gill-raker counts, caudal-fin coloration, and notable molecular divergence.