Aaron Smith leading the haka against the Pumas.

A visibly upset Aaron Smith has spoken for the first time after his one match ban over a tryst with a woman in an airport toilet.

Smith fronted media at the All Blacks team hotel in Umhlanga, Durban, with a brief but very emotional statement.

"I've made a huge mistake, a huge error in judgment. I'd firstly like to say a huge sorry to my partner Teagan, her family, my family," Smith said, pausing in an attempt to compose himself.

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"I'm also sorry to my team-mates, NZRU and the New Zealand fans."

SUPPLIED Aaron Smith at Christchurch Airport on the day of his liaison in a public toilet.

At this point his voice broke.

"My behaviour was unacceptable and if you could respect me and my partner in this situation. I'm just trying to get home to deal with this. Thank you."

The All Blacks star was seen entering a disabled toilet with a female after the test against the Springboks in Christchurch last month.

FACEBOOK/TEAGAN VOYKOVICH Aaron Smith together with girlfriend Teagan Voykovich.

Smith was wearing his All Blacks team gear at the time.

He will be sent home from South Africa by the All Blacks touring party over the incident at Christchurch Airport.

Earlier Smith's girlfriend Teagan Voykovich asked for privacy.

In a statement released by the NZ Rugby Union, Voykovich asked that she or her family not be contacted.

The statement said Voykovich was suffering from "some distress" by attempts to contact her about the incident involving Smith and a woman in a toilet at Christchurch Airport.

