Burning rubbish in Murupara landed a man in hospital with burns to his leg, hands and torso.

The man was burning rubbish using petrol when it ignited, causing the 24-year-old to be badly burned.

The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter airlifted a badly burned man to hospital.

The Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was called to Mururapa to fly the patient to Waikato Hospital about 3.30pm.

Pilot Todd Dunham says the man was treated by St John Paramedics at the scene before being driven to a helicopter landing site at a local school field.

'Further treatment was required before being flown to Waikato hospital. The helicopter was called due to the remoteness of the scene and distance to the required hospital.”