A fisherman at Matata was struck on the head by a microlight this afternoon.

Police are at the scene speaking to the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft, which landed on the beach.

The fisherman who was struck on the head suffered only minor injuries, says a police spokeswoman.

The Zenith microlight aircraft was flying from Waihi to Opotiki when it struck engine trouble, a Civil Aviation Authority statement says.

It made an emergency landing on Matata Beach.

"The pilot and his passenger discovered a fisherman unconscious on the beach when they got out of the aircraft. They administered first aid to the fisherman, who was then taken to hospital."

One person - in moderate condition - was taken from the beach to Whakatane Hospital, a St John spokeswoman said.

The pilot and passenger were uninjured and arrangements are being made to get the microlight off the beach, the Civil Aviation Authority statement says.

The authority determined that no further investigation was needed.