The young boy hurt at Auckland Airport yesterday is the son of All Black Vaea Fifita, the All Blacks have confirmed.
The boy, Paula, who turns two this month, was at the airport with family and was hurt on a conveyor belt. He is recovering in Middlemore Hospital.
Vaea Fifita said: "He had an operation on his arm and is doing okay. My partner and I would like to thank airport, emergency services and hospital staff for all their support."
Tongan-born Fifita moved to New Zealand after a visit in 2010.
He made his provincial debut in 2013 before playing for the National Sevens-winning Wellington Sevens team the next year.
He made his debut as an All Black in 2017 against Samoa.
Fifita was named on the bench for the All Blacks' first test of the year against France on Saturday, where he will hope to make his sixth appearance for the side. It is unclear if Fifita's preparation for the test was affected in any way by the news.
The All Blacks declined to comment when approached by the Herald.
A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said Aviation Security Service (Avsec) staff "were extremely surprised to discover a child in the baggage handling system" after he got on a baggage conveyor belt at the check-in counters about 3.00pm.
"As soon as the child was detected, Avsec staff moved quickly to rescue him," he said.
"They comforted the child and administered first aid until medical staff arrived."
A full investigation of the incident is under way, he said.
Air New Zealand and Qantas were not involved in the incident, spokespeople for the respective airlines told Stuff.
A spokeswoman for Virgin Australia said the airline was aware of the incident but could not comment further.
Yesterday, a St John spokesman said they transported the toddler to Middlemore Hospital.
He was in a serious but stable condition, he said.
"We understand it was a conveyor-belt-related incident."
Staff at Auckland International Airport were reviewing the security footage to establish what had happened, and how.
Auckland Airport general manager operations Anna Cassels-Brown said its "first concern is for the welfare of the wee boy and his mum".
"We have also advised WorkSafe NZ this afternoon, and have started our investigation to find out how this happened."
Police confirmed they were aware of an incident but referred the Herald to airport management and Aviation Security.
An Auckland Airport spokesman said he was not able to provide any further information about what happened while its investigation was continuing.
Airport investigators were still reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to staff.
Staff members had been in contact with the boy's family this afternoon.
Aviation Security is also conducting a separate investigation.
More to come.
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