A three-week-old baby is in Tauranga Hospital with serious head injuries.

The Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Opotiki airfield at about 10pm to pick up the baby.

The Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Opotiki airfield to transport an injured baby to hospital.

Pilot Todd Dunham says the baby had fallen from his mothers arms after she fell asleep while holding him.

The baby was initially taken by the mother to a medical centre in Opotiki and then driven by ambulance to the waiting airfield.

Todd says the baby received a serious head injury that required immediate hospital care.

'The baby was stabilised by St John paramedics and driven by ambulance to the airfield to meet the helicopter.

'The baby was flown to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment. The helicopter was called due to the distance from the required hospital. The flight was conducted using night vision goggles.”

-Additional reportng by Stuff.co.nz