A man suffered serious injuries after being kicked in the ribs by a horse in south Auckland.

The man, in his 70s, was kicked in the back of the rib cage on a rural Glenbrook property just after midday on Saturday.

Emergency services said that force of the kick left him with serious injuries, and it is understood he then had to drive back to his house before help could be called.

He was picked up by Westpac Rescue Helicopter and flown to Middlemore Hospital just after 2pm.

Westpac Helicopter spokeswoman Kerrie Spicer said the patient was treated with pain relief before being transported.