UPDATED 12.36PM The star of New Zealand film Boy has been seriously injured in a crash in Opotiki.

19-year-old James Rolleston was involved in a crash late last night when the vehicle he was in hit the Otara Bridge about 10:30pm, leaving the actor trapped with serious injuries.

Rolleston was described as "critically ill" and had to be stabilised by paramedics before being flown to Tauranga Hospital with serious injuries.

The other person in the vehicle escaped with only minor injuries.

The New Zealand Film Commission, which funded the movie Boy, would not comment on the crash but have said their "thoughts and love are with James and his family".

Rolleston is reportedly awake in hospital with his family.