'ROUGHED UP': A farmer was attacked by two cows at the eastern end of Waiheke Island.

A farmer attacked by two cows on Waiheke Island had to be flown to Auckland City Hospital yesterday.

The man, in his 60s, was trying to separate cows from their calves yesterday morning when he was set upon.

"He was pushed against the side of the barn, or a fence, by two cows who then roughed him up pretty badly," Auckland Rescue Helicopter spokesman Ati Wynyard said.

It was initially thought the man had suffered bite wounds, but Auckland City Hospital said he had been kicked.

Wynyard said the man had a "lower level of consciousness" but didn't pass out from the attack.

"He wasn't in a very good way."

The man's wife called an ambulance which picked him up near the Orapiu Wharf, at the eastern end of the island, before taking him to a sports ground in Onetangi where he was collected by the Auckland rescue helicopter.

A hospital spokesman said the man was treated overnight and was released earlier today.