Rescuers reached the climber on foot, stabilised him and prepared him for extraction before he was airlifted by helicopter to Taranaki Base Hospital in a stable condition.
Acting Sergeant and search and rescue incident controller David Bentley said the climber’s use of a personal locator beacon was critical to the rescue.
“The climber did all the right things,” said Bentley.
“He was carrying a PLB and used it when he needed to, that decision made a real difference to the outcome.
“This was a complex operation in poor weather, and it highlights how challenging it can be to assist people on the mountain when conditions deteriorate.”
Bentley acknowledged the “community effort” of agencies involved in the rescue.
He urged those considering heading into remote alpine areas to plan carefully.
“If you’re heading into remote terrain, make sure you’re well prepared.
“Check conditions, tell someone your plans, and carry the right gear,” he said.