[5] It was reported during Smith's tenure as chair of the Winegrowers Association that he was considering running for Parliament in the Kaikōura electorate.

[6] In 2013, Smith challenged incumbent MP Colin King for National's nomination to contest the electorate.

Smith held party spokesperson roles in the civil defence, Earthquake Commission, immigration, viticulture, climate change, and energy and resources portfolios.

Smith's Insurance (Prompt Settlement of Claims for Uninhabitable Residential Property) Bill proposed imposing a six-month time limit for insurers to make decisions and notify claimants on claims relating to earthquake damaged buildings.

This bill proposed regulatory reforms related to cellar door operations at wineries and was passed at its first reading in a 105–9 vote.