A Tauranga man was airlifted to hospital with chest injuries overnight after falling from his horse while hunting near Rerewhakaaitu this weekend.

The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter. Photo: file.

At 1.30pm on Saturday, the Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was called to assist a Rotorua ambulance crew after the 66-year-old fell off his horse 31 kilometres south-east of Rotorua.

Rescue helicopter chief pilot Barry Vincent says due to the man's location, it was decided to airlift him out.

Barry says the man was flown to Rotorua Hospital in a comfortable condition with chest injuries.