When Pete the duck spotted Paul Goulding, it was love at first sight.

Perhaps it was Paul Goulding's smile.

Maybe it was the way he laughed.

Who really knows the way to a duck's heart?

SUPPLIED Pete the paradise shelduck has taken a fancy to King Country man Paul Goulding.

But when Pete the paradise shelduck set eyes on Goulding five weeks ago, it was love at first quack.

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Since then, they've been inseparable - not that Goulding has much say in the matter.

SUPPLIED Pete the duck flies alongside Paul Goulding's shuttle.

"It's quite unbelievable how attached he's become, but it does get a bit much," Goulding says of his feathered admirer.

"He attacks everyone else who comes near me, especially women. He doesn't bite them or anything, but it can be a bit scary when he runs at them."

Pete was named by Goulding's daughter-in-law Alaina Goulding. Pete showed his appreciation by chasing after her.

Goulding and Pete's paths crossed in Ōngarue, south of Te Kuiti, where Goulding runs his bike hire business - Epic Cycle Adventures.

The business is based out of a converted shipping container or, as Pete likes to think, his bachelor pad.

"He follows me inside and just sits down next to me and has a nap. The container has two doors and if he can't get in through one, he'll eventually try the other door."

Goulding doesn't feed Pete and wouldn't describe himself as animal lover.

But none of that matters to Pete who, on one occasion, flew alongside Goulding's van while he was driving down the road.

The flight of fancy was captured on video and shows Pete comfortably keeping pace at 40kmh. The video has been watched about 1600 times on Goulding's Facebook page.

Goulding was told Pete was hand-raised by an Ōngarue village local, but doesn't know any more details.

"There are a couple of female ducks that have been trying to get his attention, but he's not interested in them. Pete only has eyes for me for some reason."

Although Pete can act a bit possessive, it hasn't hurt Goulding's business.

"People love getting selfies with him. He's very popular."