A French tourist who attacked signs and abused locals in Punakaiki - supposedly because he was stranded in the township - had been arrested by police.

Greymouth Police Senior Sergeant Paul Watson says the tourist had "lost the plot" after trying unsuccessfully for four days to get a lift out of town.

He said witnesses saw the tourist throw a freedom camping sign into the Punakaiki River, and then attack the Punakaiki sign with a rock.

He also allegedly abused locals and tourists in the township.

However the Frenchman eventually got his ride out of town, in the back of a police car, after being arrested.

He's due in the Greymouth District Court today, charged with wilful damage.

A staff member from the Punakaiki Visitor Centre said the man had been seen around Punakaiki but had caused no problems until yesterday.

He was noticeable due to the big black plastic bag he carried and was understood to have slept on Punakaiki Beach.

She first saw the man on Saturday afternoon when driving home from work. He was on the side of the road near the Punakaiki River bridge and appeared to be hitching south.

When she returned the next morning he was there again. Even though she was travelling in the opposite direction to where he was headed he "gave me the big finger. It was quite vicious and gave me a fright".

She did not see him with his thumb out and wondered if he actually knew hitchhiking technique.

Later in the morning some locals came into the visitor centre and asked for help, she said. They described a man as aggressive when they approached him about his behaviour and were worried he might be violent so wanted the Department of Conservation (DOC) to alert police.

DOC staff were concerned that his behaviour might have been caused by a medical condition, the woman said.

Additional reporting by Teresa Smith of the Westport News