One person is in serious condition following a two crashes on the Tauranga Eastern Link.

At 9.30pm on Thursday, police were alerted to a vehicle travelling against traffic on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Rd, at Paengaroa.

"It appears the driver entered the westbound lane at the Domain Road roundabout and travelled east for about 14km, before losing control and colliding with the wire barrier," says a police spokesperson.

"Moments later, it was hit by an oncoming vehicle whose driver was seriously injured and needed to be extracted by emergency services.

"The suspected driver of the offending vehicle was taken into custody at the scene."

Police say the Serious Crash Unit is investigating and enquiries are ongoing.

The crash forced the closure of the highway overnight.

The road was re-opened around 4am.