Man critical after being punched at party

A man is in a critical condition in hospital after being punched during an argument at a party on NSW's mid-north coast.

Police say the 27-year-old was hit by a 23-year-old man at the party in Taree on Saturday evening, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the road.

The injured man was flown to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.

The 23-year-old was arrested and charged with recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm and granted conditional bail to appear at Taree Local Court on November 3.