She's 4 years old, three months away from giving birth and trying to get away from the boys.
Moana the sea lion is keen on some quiet time, and Dunedin residents might have to adjust their behaviour to make sure that happens.
Moana is a minor royal in the Dunedin sea lion population - she has direct lineage back to Mum, the modern-day matriarch who was the first in 150 years to give birth on the mainland, and whose statue was unveiled at St Clair in July.
Moana has taken up residence just 2m away from the edge of Kettle Park, where yesterday the South Island secondary school girls' rugby final was being played out.
With winter sport over, today should be quieter than yesterday, but Department of Conservation marine ranger Jim Fyfe said users of the dunes and the park needed to be aware Moana was there, dog owners in particular.
The beach area has been the site of bloody attacks on sea lions by dogs recently, with two deaths, and Mr Fyfe urged owners to keep dogs on their leads.
Moana is the pup of Teyah, and was born on Boulder Beach.
''She's quite clearly pregnant,'' he said.
Sea lions tended to give birth towards the end of December or in early January.
''She's probably hiding away from where the boys are hanging out, getting a bit of peace and quiet.''
It was ''lovely to see her there'' but the spot by one of the few access paths left to the beach after recent erosion meant Moana was in ''a very awkward place, with people coming past with dogs''.
''It's just another opportunity for people to expect the unexpected, and keep their dogs under close control on the beach or the park.''
He had put up a temporary barrier around the mammal, and was talking to the Dunedin City Council about the issue.
If Moana stayed, consideration would be given to finding alternative ways to access the beach.
A sea lion named Ruby stayed for two months near Kettle Park in 2008.
Mr Fyfe said sea lions were not afraid of people.
''If they find a quiet place that works for them, they'll come and go from that area.''
Sea lions reached maturity for breeding at 4 years of age, and had single pups, he said.
