Sex scandal

"The present decision was arrived at in view of the currently diminished [Swedish] Academy and the reduced public confidence in the Academy," it said in a statement.

"Work on the selection of a laureate is at an advanced stage and will continue as usual in the months ahead but the Academy needs time to regain its full complement, engage a larger number of active members and regain confidence in its work, before the next Literature Prize winner is declared."

The academy said it aimed to award two prizes in 2019.

The messages appear to show Smith had convinced the woman he was caught in an airport toilet with last year to lie in a legal document, had mislead his coach, and had attempted to deceive his partner.

On Thursday, New Zealand Rugby confirmed to Newshub based on the new information, it's planning to "investigate the Aaron Smith matter further".

"It is effectively an employment issue that requires investigation," the spokesperson said.

If genuine, the messages show Smith convincing the woman to lie in a legal document, misleading his coach and attempting to deceive his partner.

The All Blacks star allegedly had sex with the woman in a disabled toilet at Christchurch Airport in September 2016.

He claimed it was a one-off incident and apologised for his "huge error in judgement".

But the woman told the Daily Mail Australia that she was involved in an affair with Smith for two years.