But it is not yet clear whether the endangered bird will survive.
Rebecca Stewart, of Dunedin, was driving to work in South Dunedin when she noticed the traffic snarling in Portsmouth Dr shortly before 8am.
Cars were slowing and swerving to avoid a bird that appeared disoriented and injured walking in the busy road, she said.
The bird appeared unable to fly and it had a fishing hook in its mouth which it struggled to get out.
She managed to herd the bird on to the footpath, and then called a co-worker to help when nobody else stopped.
However, a crew from Fulton Hogan soon arrived to cone off the street.
And then, Department of Conservation rangers arrived to assist, she said.
Doc ranger Jim Watts said vets at the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital were able to remove the fish hook and fishing line but it was unknown how well the bird might recover from the surgery and injury.
It was also very helpful for the public to take photos of sick or injured animals to identify the animal, assess its condition, and a response, he said.
Police assisted with traffic control until about 9.30am.
- Department of Conservation: 0800DOCHOT (0800362-468)
