Anger and disappointment over a seemingly planned burglary.

Police are investigating after CCTV footage showed a hooded burglar dressed in black breaking into Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa and taking the priceless sculpture off its iron plinth in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The sculpture of a half metre high water droplet - the pools' logo - was carved from one of the largest greenstone boulders ever found in the South Island.

General manager Graeme Abbot says it was carved by master Ngai Tahu carver Fayne Robinson and his nephew - with the pounamu coming from a 4.7 tonne boulder the size of a hatchback car.

"The biggest boulder that was discovered on the West Coast, so a beautiful and it'sstill part of our whole legacy that's been taken away."

He says that it is a special piece for us, and they want anyone who knows anything to contact Police.