Smith was the Financial Times' East Africa Correspondent, and worked from war ravaged countries such as Burundi.
Smith was a relentless investigative journalist in his 20's and brought down an NZ Government Minister with his investigation into the Bad Blood scandal.
Smith co-created legendary and controversial NZ comedies Eating Media Lunch and the Unauthorised History of New Zealand with Jeremy Wells and Paul Casserly.
Smith played bass in the band This Nations Dreaming in London and New Zealand.