UPDATED 9.48am: The tramper who spent a night stuck on the rocks at Piha, west of Auckland, is now safe.

He's been winched down by helicopter this morning, and transferred to the surf club.

Inspector Tony Wakelin says the original plan was to pluck him off at 3.30am.

"Giving second thoughts to it with it being dark and tricky rocks through there, we've decided to leave it 'till daylight.

"We've had contact with him. He's warm, he's hunkered down there. No issues for his safety."

Wakelin says his decision-making, and checking of the tides appears to have been sub-par.

"You've got to question his assessments. He's gone into an area which is cut off by high tide, he's put himself in a dangerous position and we've had to utilise a lot of equipment and staff resources."