KEY POINTS:
Tony Veitch today admitted assaulting his former partner, saying the incident happened when he was at his "lowest ebb".
He blamed work stress at the time for the incident and said he had been on medication.
"I know what I did was wrong and it will never happen
again," he said.
The sports presenter was breaking his silence for the first time over allegations he assaulted Kristin Dunne-Powell.
He told a packed media conference at a hotel in central Auckland: "I deeply regret what happened and have done since it occurred."
He confirmed an agreement had been reached with his former partner "because we didn't want this to play out in the public".
He says the agreement included a payment for the loss of income and distress he caused her. News reports have previously alleged the deal was worth $100,000.
Veitch was sombre as he gave his statement dressed in a suit and tie. He refused to take any questions.
He said the assault happened after Ms Dunne-Powell came to his house one night.
There was an argument over dinner and he then "lashed out".
He said it was "something I will regret to the end of my days".
Veitch said there were no excuses and said the relationship had already ended just prior to the incident.
He had been working seven days a week at the time and was on medication for "exhaustion".
"I was at the lowest ebb of my life," he said. "I needed help."
Veitch said he had since undergone counselling for a year and he told his new wife Zoe Halford about the assault at the start of their relationship.
He apologised to Ms Powell and his employers TVNZ and Radio Sport owners the Radio Network for the "embarrassment I have caused".
He added: "I now apologise to the New Zealand public."
News reports have previously said Veitch secretly paid his former partner, business executive Ms Dunne-Powell, more than $100,000 to stay silent after a 2006 attack at his house left her temporarily in a wheelchair.
Meanwhile, Veitch's employer TVNZ said they have a review process underway regarding the sports presenter's future.
TVNZ Chief Executive Rick Ellis said the review began on Monday but there were significant and complex matters around the issue that restricted what could be said publicly.
"We are giving the situation our most serious consideration, and Tony's personal statement today will be taken into account by the review process," he said.
"Violence is a major issue in New Zealand and the profile of our on air presenters is important to the public and to our organisation."
Mr Ellis said TVNZ had had a number of conversations with Veitch and his legal representatives since Monday.
Yesterday, his employers TVNZ and Radio Sport announced Veitch would be taking time out from his roles presenting One News sport, quiz show A Game of Two Halves and Radio Sport's breakfast show.
The Radio Network said Veitch would be off air for the rest of the week, while he focused on "legal discussions".
Aside from his broadcasting roles, Veitch is the sole registered director of Ellerslie businesses Tony Veitch Television and Ynot Property Investment.
A group has been formed on social networking site Facebook, calling for people to boycott media appearances by Veitch over allegations the sports presenter assaulted his former partner.
By lunch today, 87 people had joined the group.
