Charmaine Smith

About Charmaine

Charmaine Smith is a World Cup-winning Black Fern, a New Zealand police sergeant, and a proud mum. For years she did all three at once — elite international rugby, shift work and motherhood. That combination is not a talking point; it is the daily reality from which everything she says on stage is drawn.

Known for her athletic dominance at lineout time and her leadership within the team, Charmaine represented New Zealand in 27 test matches between 2015 and 2019, and was part of the Black Ferns side that won the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Ireland. She retired from rugby in 2020 and returned to her career as a sergeant in the New Zealand Police, working in some of the most demanding and emotionally complex environments imaginable. She is also a vocal advocate on domestic violence, committed to creating safer spaces for families and communities across New Zealand.

What makes Charmaine a compelling speaker is not the credential list — it is the authenticity behind it. She talks about courage not as an abstract value but as something she has had to practise, repeatedly, in very different contexts. She connects with audiences on what it actually means to lead when the pressure is real, to show up for others when already stretched, and to build the kind of team culture where people trust each other when it matters. For organisations wanting a speaker who genuinely embodies those things, Charmaine delivers it.