Nikau could not be contacted for comment yesterday but his lawyer Gary Gotlieb said the matter was "very much a domestic one".
"It really probably is not very helpful at all to the whole process that this was there in the papers," he said.
"It is a little unfortunate for the sensitivities of all the parties involved."
Mr Gotlieb said he had yet to receive the facts about the alleged incident from police.
It was likely that he would appeal to have Nikau's appearance at the Huntly District Court tomorrow adjourned to a later date.
He said it was too early to say whether Nikau would enter a plea to the charge.
"I really don't know because I haven't talked to the prosecution at this stage."
Sources in Huntly said Nikau was trying to seek custody of Heaven-Leigh's two children, aged 4 and 5.
They said Nikau was concerned about their well-being.
A source said Nikau and his wife were "probably like many grandparents living in Huntly" looking out for the best interests of their grandchildren.
Heaven-Leigh is Nikau's daughter from his marriage to Letitia, who took her own life while the couple were living in England where Nikau was playing rugby league in 2001.
Nikau has forged an equally as successful career in business off the field and spends half his year overseas as Aotearoa Construction chief executive.
He is also owner and managing director of Team One Corporate Development, a training company.
