The new genus and species Yeatesinia barbata gen. n., sp. n. is described from a sand dune habitat in New Zealand. The new genus is characterised by a body length of 299-357 μm in females and 304-361 μm in males, lip region rounded dorso-ventrally, broad laterally, dorsally inclined, lateral sides of lip region with two large, horn-like, projections, each bearing one seta at its base, each amphid surrounded by three setiform sensilla, oral opening a broad transverse slit located on the dorsal body surface, and different structure of cuticle in the dorsal and ventral body sectors. This combination of unique morphological characters clearly separates the new genus from all other members of the Plectidae. The phylogenetic affinities of Yeatesinia gen. n. and its relationships to other genera of the family Plectidae are discussed.