The soldier was injured during the disposal of a flare at the Glentunnel demolitions range.

An explosives specialist in the New Zealand Army has been seriously injured disposing of a flare at a Canterbury demolitions range.

St John was called at about 10.10am on Wednesday to a Turnbulls Rd address, near the small villages of Hororata and Glentunnel.

A 20-year-old man was flown to Christchurch Hospital with serious injuries, a St John spokesman said.

A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) spokesman confirmed a New Zealand Army soldier was injured during the disposal of a flare at the Glentunnel demolitions range.

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"The soldier and his family are being supported by the New Zealand Army," the spokesman said.

"The New Zealand Army takes its health and safety responsibilities seriously and an investigation into the incident will be launched."

The soldier, who holds the rank of corporal, is a member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

EOD operators are technical specialists in neutralising all types of explosive hazards and threats, according to the Defence Careers website.

Operators receive extensive training to detect, identify, render safe and dispose of munitions and explosives, including those that involve chemical and biological materials, the website said.

Earlier this month, a New Zealand Army soldier was hospitalised after being shot in the shoulder during a night live-firing exercise at the Tekapo Military Training Facility.