A rogue wave has left a car that had been parked on a seawall near Wellington Airport stuck upside down on rocks.

Photo: Chris Bramwell

Police said the car had been parked by its owner, but it was hit by a wave and dragged into the sea.

Tide in and car that was swept off pier at lyall bay getting pounded. #lyallbay #Wellington @rnz_news pic.twitter.com/dsOyPqxI8d — Imran here 2 (@imranhere2) January 7, 2018

It's not known why the owner had parked the car there.

This car has just been washed off the breakwall in huge surf ....all 3 very luckily got out by smashing windows pic.twitter.com/juB9cKK7wK — Blondelatte (@JulieReddish) January 7, 2018

Police said the owner knew what had happened, but was unable to retrieve the car at this stage.