A mischievous seal has flippered its way more than 1km through paddocks to visit a West Auckland farm this morning.
Taupaki farmer Vincent La Rosa said his father first saw the seal on the driveway about 7.30am.
The farm property borders Brigham Creek - an inlet from the Waitemata Harbour which runs past Hobsonville into West Auckland - so the seal is thought to have made its way up from there.
And the hefty mammal is understood to be a repeat offender, with Department of Conservation (DoC) officers stating the seal in question was well-known to their team.
The runaway seal was now having a well-deserved nap, Mr La Rosa said.
"He was just in the middle of the driveway, kind of on his front flippers. At the moment he's just crashed out on the grass. He seems pretty happy.
"I've spoken to DoC and he's been around the area before. The guy who's going to be dealing with him has dealt with this one before apparently."
Mr La Rosa said the mammal must have trekked more than 1km to get to the driveway from the creek.
The farm was no stranger to stray animals - but the seal was a real first, he said.
"We've had pigs and goats, ducks, a whole lot of different animals wander onto the property but no seals. He's quite big, about 70kg or more, you'd need about three guys to try and lift him."
DoC officers had asked Mr La Rosa to look out for the wandering mammal as they made their way to the scene.
Seals made headlines earlier this year after three of the mammals were found in residential Papakura on separate occasions in the space of two weeks.
One of the seals frequented the suburb for two days before eventually being apprehended in a car wash.
The popular fur seal gathered quite a following, with a light-hearted Twitter account set up in its name collecting more than 850 followers.
One post states: "I am going to sleep now. Remember me - Papakura Seal - as the adventurer and pioneer who faced all odds to bring you amusement on a Monday."
A baby seal was later found at Ray Small Park and another pup was found on Inlet Rd near the Pak'n Save.
DoC marine ranger Yuin Khai Soong said at the time members of the public should not be concerned about seeing seals out and about, unless it was obviously injured or at risk of injury.
"It's not unheard of for the odd pup to explore and get a little lost," he said.