Fuming emergency services in New Zealand are considering whether to prosecute a hiker who set off his emergency beacon because he was apparently running late and wanted a helicopter ride to his car.

The man, in his 60s, was hiking in South Westland and set off the beacon on Thursday afternoon.

At a cost of about $NZ10,000 ($A8170), the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter flew from Greymouth, only to find the man was fine, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) said on Friday.

MNZ's Nigel Clifford said if the man set off the beacon simply because he was running late, then it was entirely inappropriate, potentially dangerous, and a clear breach of the beacon rules.

The helicopter was tied up for two-and-a-half hours, he said.

"That aircraft was unavailable for any other genuine emergency that may have arisen."

Penalties for the misuse of beacons range from a formal warning, infringement notice penalty of $NZ250 and prosecution, which carries a maximum fine of $NZ30,000.

MNZ is considering what action to take over the hiker.

"While the decision to activate a beacon is one that only the person carrying it can make, depending on their circumstances, it is not a decision that should be taken lightly. It is certainly not a taxi service," Mr Clifford said.