Mother Gail has been resting and playing with her offspring surrounded by pines since giving birth in mid-December.
A nearby property owner did not want to reveal the location, so as to not attract people, but said Gail was found by a member of his family who heard the loud noises she made while giving birth.
The private forest had only become a popular breeding ground in recent years, he said.
''We didn't quite expect it to be so close to the house.''
Department of Conservation biodiversity manager Jim Fyfe said it was nice to see Gail raising a pup in a discreet location after last year, when she gave birth in the open at the Papanui Inlet.
He knew of eight pups so far this season on the Eastern Otago coast and expected at least 16 in total by the end of the month.
The rate gradually increased from eight pup births five years ago and up to 20 were expected next year.
It was ''quite special'' they were recovering as the species could have easily become extinct, he said.
''We have also been seeing a few of them coming from the Stewart Island population.''
The animals developed preferred times and locations to give birth.
''It makes it easier when you can anticipate where, who and when.''
New Zealand Sea Lion Trust volunteer Janet Ledingham said the season was looking good so far.
''The mothers have been quite clever at hiding themselves away from the general public.''
