He did not know much about the town nor those who lived in it. But boy, have the two got on wonderfully well.
Smith (28) will bring up his 100th cap for the Highlanders when the side takes on the Rebels at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night.
The man they call Nugget, or Nuggy for short, has been one of the main reasons why the Highlanders have gone from an also-ran to a contender in recent years.
Sure, he has his moments, but the good far and away outweighs the bad.
He said playing his 100th game was something to be proud of but he was not getting too excited yet.
``It's an awesome milestone to achieve. Something that after you have played a few games, something you want to reach,'' he said yesterday.
``I still feel very young and able. I always thought it was one of the older guys who reached it. But if I think about how long I have been here, it feels like I have put in the work. Injury-wise I have been lucky, touch wood.''
Smith and the Highlanders have been drawn together and it's been a love match ever since he played his first game - coming off the bench to help the side beat the Bulls in Pretoria in 2011.
``At the time there was a lot of halfbacks playing and they were a lot bigger. I just wanted an opportunity. Jamie Joseph said to me `I see things in your game that could suit our play, and the way I want to play. I'll give you the opportunity if you get fit, train really hard.'
``There was a logjam of halfbacks at the time. I just wanted to get an opportunity. I played under Jamie with the Maoris and he said `come down'. It was an exciting time for me and the Highlanders. A bit of adventure, leaving the nest. I have made a home here now and I love this place.
``When I signed through to 2019 I wanted a Highlanders contract specifically. The same with Manawatu. I've wanted to be a Highlander the whole time.
``I'm from a small town and one thing I love about Dunedin is it's got those small town values about it. Good people - they always look after you. I just love it is a close connected community.
``They always support the Highlanders as well. I remember one year we did not win many games but there was still something like 10,000 people coming.''
Smith said the spirit among the side was drawn by players coming together.
``A lot of our boys are from outside the region so we have to stay tight. It's a really, really healthy environment and everyone buys into that.
``You look at [last] Saturday [against the Brumbies] in that last five minutes and we stopped a maul 5m short. I think it was like the 82nd minute.
``I think that just shows how much we are willing to work for each other. And it is not what I call work. It is awesome. We are working hard for each other. I love it, eh?
``It is such an awesome environment to be part of. I'm just blessed to be playing for this beautiful region.''
Smith's game is based on speed - his pace around the park and his pass, which is unmatched in the modern game.
The dry track at Forsyth Barr Stadium is right up his alley.
``In 2011, I played at the Brook and loved that. Then I moved to the stadium and loved it.
I thought `If I know half my games in all my career as a Highlander are going to be at the stadium I am going to be pretty happy'.''
Highlights include his debut, the first game at the stadium when the clock went wrong and also the matches in 2015 which led to the title.
Family and friends would come down to help Smith celebrate the occasion.
``But it is only Monday so I'm not trying to think about it too much.''