Police are investigating after a person woke to find a man in their Alexandra motel room early this morning.
The person was staying alone on an upper level of the Alexandra Heights Motel on Centennial Ave and was not hurt during the "brief incident" at about 2.30am, police said.
Nothing appeared to have been taken.
The officer in charge, Detective Alan Lee, said police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the intruder, described as a fair-complexioned Maori or Polynesian, aged between 20 and 30.
He had a slight build, wavy black hair and was about 175cm to 177cm tall.
The intruder was wearing a red, black and white floral shirt and black pants. He had a high-pitched voice and appeared timid when confronted, the motel occupant told police.
Mr Lee said police wanted to ensure that no one else was put at risk and appealed for anyone who knew the man to come forward.
"The description of this man is such that a friend or family member could not help but recognise them."
Members of the public could contact the Alexandra police station on (03) 440 2500 or, if they wished to speak anonymously, ring Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.