Originally from a netball background and having also represented North Harbour in sevens, Charmaine Smith was promoted to the Black Ferns and appeared in all three Tests of the 2015 Super Series in Canada, after just five games of club rugby for East Coast Bays.
Smith played 20 Farah Palmer Cup games. In June 2020 after concussion related issues she was forced to retire.
However, after having her baby Smith returned to rugby to play for the Blues in the inaugural Sky Super Rugby Aupiki competition. In 2023 she transferred to the Waitomo Chiefs Manawa.