An elderly woman had to be flown to Rotorua Hospital after falling ill in an Eastern Bay of Plenty township.

The Rotorua BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to the Te Urewera settlement of Ruatahina on Monday afternoon after one of the marae's residents fell ill.

The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter flew an elderly woman to hospital.

An ambulance was initially sent from Murupara but due to the distance involved the helicopter was despatched.

Upon landing the patient was quickly assessed by the St John helicopter crew and the patient was airlifted to Rotorua Hospital.

The 86-year-old local woman was in a comfortable condition upon reaching hospital.