Police in New Zealand is looking out for a burglar who returned the stolen goods to the owner with an apology letter.

The burglar entered Graeme Glass's home twice in one day first to steal some goods and later to return them.

Glass was at work in the southern resort of Queenstown on Tuesday when the burglar smashed a window and took away his laptop computer, a camera and wallet with an American Express credit card.

However, later in the evening the thief changed his mind and returned all the goods with a handwritten full-page note saying he was sorry for "violating the safety and security of your home."

"I have never written truer words when I say that I wish that I had never done this to you and your family," the note read. "From the bottom of my heart I am sorry."

According to AP reports, the thief also bought a new basketball and two pairs of gloves from the stolen credit card. If this was not enough for his generosity, the thief also promised to leave cash in Glass' mailbox to compensate for the smashed window when he had enough money.