A woman has been caught on video with an unrestrained toddler on her lap while sitting in busy Auckland traffic

The video, which has been posted to social media, shows the woman driving along Clark Street in New Lynn, before coming to a stop at the Portage Road intersection.

The man filming in the passenger seat of his car called out to the woman, and she responded with a rude gesture and ignored pleas to restrain the child.

Waitemata policing manager Michael Rickards says police were aware of the video, which they call a prime example of poor decision making behind the wheel.

Police are following this up with the vehicle's registered owner.