A Northland woman, home alone, was terrified to hear footsteps on her deck at 2am, but amazed when her visitor turned out to be New Zealand's national bird.

Many New Zealanders have never seen a kiwi, at least one that's not in captivity, but Laura Jerome had a young one pay a visit right to her doorstep overnight.

Ms Jerome says she was home alone at Doves Bay in Kerikeri Inlet.

"It's almost 2am and I hear footsteps on the deck and the dogs start to go mental (they're inside with me, of course)," she wrote on her Facebook page.

"I am terrified, but get my big girl pants on (i.e. dressing gown!) and head to investigate.

"Switch on lights and...well, well, well. Hello wee guy, it's a toty kiwi. Quickly got phone took pics and turned off deck lights and got dogs into bedroom so it could have some piece and quiet. Pretty cool."

Facebook followers also think it was a cool experience.

"That's soooo cool!!! Would've loved to have seen it so close up like that!," Poppy Owner posted.

Ms Jerome commented: "It was amazing. I had to put the light off really fast cos it was scared."

She says she made sure her visitor was gone before letting the dogs outside this morning.