The mystery brunette at the centre of the Aaron Smith sex scandal has broken her silence saying she is sorry for hurting so many people and that the incident was not of a "sleazy nature".
In an email to the Herald the woman, whose romantic liaison with the All Black in an airport disability toilet led to Smith being dropped from a test and sanctioned by rugby bosses, says she now wants to move on from the incident.
Under the heading "Aaron Smith - statement/apology :( " the woman said she was "genuinely apologetic" to all parties involved.
She described the much publicised airport rendezvous as a "joint lack of personal judgement".
Within hours of a recording emerging of Smith and a mystery woman in the Christchurch Airport toilet, the All Black made a tearful apology to his partner Teagan Voykovich for the indiscretion before he was sent home from South Africa.
On his return to New Zealand the disgraced sportsman was given an official warning after New Zealand Rugby found him guilty of serious misconduct.
But the woman, who claims she was previously romantically involved with Smith, said the couple slipped into the bathroom for a private discussion.
"The incident that occurred at Christchurch airport between Aaron and myself was a thoughtless act which resulted in the hurt of many people, and for that hurt I am truly remorseful."
"I am genuinely apologetic to all parties involved but would now like to move on from the incident."
She refused to say what went on behind closed doors but was adamant it wasn't "sleazy".
"While at the airport we wanted to have a private discussion in a private place, and I concede a family bathroom was not the most appropriate place to do this.
"I will not be elaborating on what happened behind closed doors but can confirm it was not of a sleazy nature."
She said she had known Smith for a number of years and had "seen each other on and off in the past".
However, she maintains she was not aware that he had a new partner.
"I am not currently in a relationship with Aaron or with anybody else as indicated in the media."
The woman said she respected Smith as an athlete and did not consider it was appropriate to publicly discuss his private life or her friendship with him.
"It does however take two to tango and I hold myself responsible for my involvement in the incident."
She said her connection with the All Black had "always been consensual" and she had no complaints about his conduct or his demeanour towards her.
He had always expressed his commitment to the All Blacks as paramount and she believed the toilet tryst should not stand in the way of his career.
"Therefore although the incident was a reflection on our joint lack of personal judgement, I do not believe it should reflect negatively on him as a player or on the NZRU as a professional body."
She had been in contact with Smith since the incident and was satisfied with the way he had publicly responded to the situation.
"I have not been contacted by the NZRU but do not believe this is necessary as this is a private matter.
She said she was initially reluctant to come forward but due to harassment from the media and rumours circulating about the All Black and herself she wanted to offer a public statement.
"I kindly request that the media please leave me alone now"
Smith's manager Warren Alcock today refused to comment on the incident.
Full statement
"I was initially averse to making a public statement but due to the inaccurate rumours, invasive harassment and significant breaches of privacy from the media I feel that it is now necessary.
The incident that occurred at Christchurch airport between Aaron and me was a thoughtless act which resulted in the hurt of many people, and for that hurt I am truly remorseful.
Aaron and I have known each other for a number of years and have seen each other on and off in the past. We do not follow each other on social media and I was unaware that he had entered into a relationship during this time. I am not currently in a relationship with Aaron or with anybody else as indicated in the media.
While at the airport we wanted to have a private discussion in a private place, and I concede a family bathroom was not the most appropriate place to do this. I will not be elaborating on what happened behind closed doors but can confirm it was not of a sleezy nature. I respect Aaron as an athlete and do not consider it is appropriate to publically discuss his private life or my friendship with him. It does however take two to tango and I hold myself responsible for my involvement in the incident.
I can confirm my connection with Aaron, both presently and in the past has always been consensual and I have no complaints about his conduct or his demeanour towards myself. In the years I have known Aaron he has always expressed his commitment to the All Blacks as being paramount and has openly described his passion for rugby as being his primary focus in life. Therefore although the incident was a reflection on our joint lack of personal judgement, I do not believe it should reflect negatively on him as a player or on the NZRU as a professional body.
I have been in contract with Aaron since the incident and am satisfied with the way he has publically responded to the situation. I am unaware of his private explanation to his partner and do not wish to comment on this. I have not been contacted by the NZRU but do not believe this is necessary as this is a private matter.
I am genuinely apologetic to all parties involved but would now like to move on from the incident. I kindly request that the media please leave me alone now."