LAID BACK: This seal sighted on Wellington's south coast is a sign of a healthy seal population, Island Bay Marine Conservation Centre's Julian Hodge says.

A stubborn seal crossed a busy six-lane road and took up a temporary home in a central Wellington park early today.

A police spokesman said the seal emerged from the lagoon at Frank Kitts Park, hauled itself across the six-lane Jervois Quay, and planted itself in a spot of park beneath the City to Sea Bridge beside Harris St about 5.40am.

For about 30 minutes the stubborn seal shrugged off police urgings to return to the water.

At 6.10am it hauled itself back across to the lagoon on its own accord, police said.

Earlier this week a seal was spotted in an unusual spot on Wellington's south coast, between Island and Owhiro bays.

Island Bay Marine Education Centre discovery programme manager Julian Hodge said a growing number of seals had been spotted recently away from traditional areas at Red Rocks and the Wainuiomata coast.

It was believed populations were now so healthy there that some seals were moving further afield.