The man was caught on CCTV putting a rusty keyring in the honesty box and taking almost $100 worth of product from Otago Gold Honey’s stall.
The honesty box is a permanent fixture in the Waihola township, located in the town centre, outside the town hall.
Otago Gold Honey owner Carlee McCaw said 99% of the people who used the honesty box to buy honey were "more than honest", but it was the 1% who ruined it.
"If anything, people are more than honest. Usually if something is $18, they just put a $20 note in instead.
"The thing is, just the audacity to put a rusty keyring in the box, then going shopping."
The man stole two 1kg jars of their award-winning honey, as well as two gift packs, all together valued at about $90.
A shot of the man’s face was published to the company’s social media page, asking for the public’s help identifying him.
"We have chosen in the past not to publicise when we’ve had the odd theft, because it is quite rare.
"However this time, enough is enough, this guy obviously can tell the cameras are there and just does not care and we’re probably not the only people he’s doing this to."
Ms McCaw said police identified the man using the CCTV footage and tracked him down with a little help from the public.
The man was spoken to by police and he had since paid the family the full amount owed.
No charges were laid.
