A man who made a hole in the wall of an Irish pub walked away with thousands of dollars' worth of cash.

Bay of Plenty Police are investigating the burglary of Finn MacCuhals Irish Pub in Taupo and are appealing for information to help locate the offender.

'Just after 5am on February 25, an offender entered the pub through a hole he made in the wall and stole between $2000 and $3000 of coins from the pokie machines,” say police.

'After leaving the building, the offender walked along Tuwharetoa Street and crossed Tongariro Street into the south domain, towards the bowling club on Ferry Road.”

It's believed the offender may then have got into a dark-coloured station wagon, which was last seen leaving Ferry Road and travelling south along Lake Terrace.

'Police would like to hear from anyone who may recognise the man in the attached images.

'We also ask that local businesses alert Police immediately if they have customers attempting to use large sums of coins to pay for purchases.”

If you have any information that could assist Police with this investigation, please contact Taupo Police on (07) 378 6060.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.