UPDATED 4:45PM: The boys at the centre of the St Bede's rowing row have released a statement saying they're sorry for their "stupid" actions.

Jack Bell and Jordan Kennedy were caught riding on the baggage conveyor at the Jetstar carousel in the arrivals hall at Auckland Airport’s domestic terminal.

LISTEN: Andrew McCormick - St Bede's rowers

The pair were given formal warnings by police and the Aviation Security Service (Avsec) after the prank shortly after arriving on a domestic flight from Christchurch.

The school rector banned them from competing at rowing's Maadi Cup this week but the boys parents sought and were granted an interim injunction at the High Court, which allowed them to compete.

The boys say the court action was taken because they thought the penalty outweighed their misbehaviour.

They understand they may have to pay the price for their actions in another way. 

Earlier, the father of one of the St Bede's boys at the centre of the rowing row stepped down as the school's rowing club chairman.

Lawyer for the parents Andrew Marsh confirmed to Newstalk ZB that Shane Kennedy stood down from his role as chairman of the St Bede's rowing club yesterday.

Mr Marsh says Shane Kennedy decided to step down because of his personal involvement with the case.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the pair were spotted “instantly” once they passed through the rubber curtains by a Jetstar ramp agent.

The Jetstar rep called his supervisor who in turn involved Avsec.

“The boys apologised immediately and said they did it for fun,” the CAA spokesman said.

“We were satisfied no breach of the sterile area occurred as the boys were spotted by Jetstar staff from the moment they emerged airside, after which they were escorted out of the airside baggage area to landside, almost immediately.

“We do understand that students travelling as a group can get quite excited and have a lot of nervous energy, but they must understand that in airport environments there is zero tolerance for games or pranks and we would discourage any further instances of this type of behaviour.

“The boys are very lucky they got off with a warning and that there was no risk to the safety and security of other passengers or airport staff.”

As is customary under CAA regulations, the CAA will be reviewing all details of the incident and consider if any further action is required.

The Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Karapiro is the largest national rowing regatta for New Zealand school students with 2196 participants from 122 schools.