He waddled his way out of the cage, jumped into the waves and swam off into the Tasman Sea.

The land-loving seal which has made itself at home in Papakura for the past two days is back in the water.

DOC rangers trapped the seal earlier this afternoon, and drove him to Karioitahi Beach, south of Auckland.

Marine ranger Yuin Kai Foong says from there, it was a matter of opening the door and leaving the seal to decide when he wanted to come out.

"He just waded his way out, fell over a few times as New Zealand fur seals do and jumped into the waves and swam off into the Tasman."

Foong says the seal's been released amidst the high cliffs surrounding Karioitahi Beach, south of Auckland.

"He should be fine. We've put him close to other seals and he should be able to integrate here."