UPDATED 2:41pm: A man in his seventies has been killed after being struck by a log falling off a truck in Taranaki.

Stratford Police and WorkSafe New Zealand investigations into the cause of the incident have been launched.

Police were notified by ambulance around 8:15am.

Attempts were made to resuscitate the man, but he died at the scene.

Chief executive Gordon MacDonald says it's the first forestry death reported since January last year.

Mr MacDonald says the death reconfirms the need for everyone in forestry to be vigilant around every element of the operation.

WorkSafe inspectors are on the way to the remote site at Te Wera.

Chief executive Gordon MacDonald says the death is a tragedy for the worker's family, his workmates and the tight-knit forestry community.

He says it's the first forestry death reported since January last year.