A 51-year-old Waihī man was flown to Tauranga Hospital in critical condition on Sunday evening.
Police said on Monday that it was their understanding the man suffered a fall, after which a dog attacked him.
According to the Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter website they were called to Waihī where a man was bitten in the face by his dog, sustaining serious injuries.
The man was flown to Tauranga Hospital for immediate medical attention.
Emergency services were called to Consols St in Waihī about 5.45pm on Sunday.