For the last seven years, Mr Smith has been dressing up as Father Christmas at the Northlands Shopping Centre in Christchurch.
His passion and dedication to the role has earned him the title “King Santa” and he has also been described as “the best Santa ever” by children and parents.
This feedback has led to Mr Smith being asked to contribute to the Santa training manual, which is circulated to Santas across New Zealand.
His first tip is to “be impressive".
“You are the reason that the children and their mums, dads, or guardians are there. Wave, smile, be excited that you are there, ring your bell if you have one,” he said.
“Settle down into your chair and get ready for the next three or four hours of being Santa, never forget who you are and that you live at the North Pole.”
“If you have entertainers near the set, such as school choirs, be part of their action by at least listening to them and if appropriate taking part in their performance and acknowledging it.”
Mr Smith first became Santa after his niece put his name forward for the role.
He says the key to being Santa is “to present Christmas to the kids in a cheerful way and make them happy".
“You have got to be Santa, you have got to remember that you come from the North Pole to see the kids.”
