A scrum half, Smith played for the Highlanders in Super Rugby where upon retirement in 2023 was the club's all time leader in caps, and for Manawatu in the ITM Cup.

[3][4][5] For the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup, Smith established himself as the first-choice half-back for Manawatu, starting all 13 games over the course of the season and scoring his first representative try.

[citation needed] Smith was included in the Blues wider training group for the 2010 Super 14 season, but did not see any game action for the Auckland-based side.

On the back of his strong performances for Manawatu, Smith, of Ngāti Kahungunu descent, was selected to New Zealand Māori for their 2010 Centenary Series.

[2][9][10] He came on as a substitute against the New Zealand Barbarians after Chris Smylie suffered a fractured cheekbone, and started in the squad's historic victories over Ireland and England.

[17] On 7 August 2021 in a game at Eden Park, Auckland against the Wallabies Smith became the tenth All Black to register 100 tests and the first of Maori descent.