A number of juvenile fur seals have been spotted enjoying the calm waters of Tauranga Harbour this morning.
The freshly-weaned pups are thought to have been born at a local rookery in recent months, and are likely sheltering from rough weather out at sea.
Department of Conservation Ranger Pete Huggins said in a statement visitors and locals can expect to see seals enjoying local waters and Bay of Plenty beaches over winter and into spring.
"These animals are doing their natural thing by coming ashore to rest. Many people are surprised to see them here, but they are actually the new normal for the Bay of Plenty," Mr Huggins said.
"They are breeding here, returning to the sort of population levels seen in New Zealand before the fur trade virtually wiped them out."