An injured tramper was rescued on Mt Mabel, south of Aoraki Mt Cook, late last night after calling for help at 8pm.

The 64-year-old Leeds man became injured after slipping on snow and hurting his leg on rocks.

The solo mountaineer activated his UK-registered personal locator beacon and the UK Coastguard, which handles beacon registration in the United Kingdom, notified the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand.

RCCNZ search and rescue mission coordinator Dave Wilson said the Greymouth Rescue Helicopter, which is equipped with night vision equipment, went to the scene, picking up a member of the alpine cliff rescue team from Fox Glacier village on the way.

The injured man was found in a very steep gully at about 10.30pm and the cliff rescue team member was winched down to help him.

He was then winched aboard the helicopter and taken to Mt Cook village for a medical assessment.

"The helicopter crew have done a great job in reasonably challenging circumstances. While it was a clear, calm night, the man was in a very tight position with little room to move," Mr Wilson said.

"His leg injury is not thought to be serious but he was not able to walk without assistance."