Tawa residents should keep an eye out for a grey-haired criminal of slim build in connection with a string of recent insulation pipe robberies.

Though his name suggests an interest in heavy metals, Metallica, 3, is a cat with a penchant for taking insulation pipes.

Owner Cherie Hay said she had no idea why he was stealing the pipes.

"Some of it is one and a half metres long, and he brings some of it in the house," she said.

"He's been collecting it. I didn't actually realise how much of it there was until I went out about a week ago and suddenly realised it was all through the garden."

Metallica is locked in at night, so the crimes were taking place during the day, Hay said.

"I'm at work during the day, so I just get home and find this stuff… It's really strange."

Hay said she had asked neighbours whether the piping was theirs, but had had no luck so far.

Her property was close to Coronation Park, the scout hall and several industrial buildings, so there was a few possible origins, she said.

"I don't know why he does it… No-one seems to know where he is getting this stuff from."

She hoped it was from someone's rubbish because it looked old, and said she was keen to solve the mystery.

Over the past few months Metallica has become focused on insulation pipe, but he has brought home a variety of items since he was seven months old, including knitting needles, scissors and rubber gloves.

"When I had the Christmas tree up, he would leave things under the tree.

"He would watch me wrap presents and put them under the tree and then he would leave things under it for me."

"He's a very funny cat. He's most unusual."