Opening the Door to Culture with Reimis Smith

Growing up in Australia, Reimis Smith always knew where he came from. His mother’s family is Aboriginal, with ties to Grafton (Bundjalung) and Wellington (Wiradjuri) in New South Wales, while his father’s side is from the Ngāpuhi iwi in the far north of New Zealand.

Being of both Aboriginal and Māori descent, Reimis has a unique connection to two rich cultures. As the former Bulldogs and Storm player learned more about both sides of his family, he developed a deeper appreciation for the generations of history behind him.

“Obviously, as you get older, you start to find out a bit more about your culture,” says Reimis.

“You realise how much history they have, both Indigenous to their own countries, and how deep and how far the roots go back.”

“To have that running through my blood and having the family ties and all that goes back a long time, I’m really blessed.”

More Than a Game

Reimis was selected for the Māori All Stars in 2021, however, due to COVID restrictions in Victoria, where he resided when playing for the Melbourne Storm, he was unable to travel for the game. In 2022, he was selected again, and the opportunity opened the door to a deeper understanding of his culture.

“Getting to play for the Māori All Stars opened up that avenue for me to understand that side of my family and that side of my culture,” says Reimis.

Despite his father, Tyran Smith, being the rugby league journeyman who represented both New Zealand and Aotearoa Māori throughout his thirteen year career in professional rugby league, Reimis had grown up in Australia and had not spent significant time immersed in Māori culture.

“Going into that camp opened my eyes to that side of my family,” says Reimis. “Realising how cultural they are and how similar they are to my Aboriginal side.”

For many fans and outsiders, Indigenous All Stars week is often viewed through the lens of the match itself, but for those involved, it’s something much deeper.

“A lot of people don’t understand the week and what goes into it and the things we do as a group,” says Reimis.

“The way they help you open up your eyes to that side of your family.”

Finding Common Ground Across Cultures

The All Stars experience also gave Reimis a greater appreciation of the connections between the cultures that shape him.

He found familiar values, stories and traditions in both his Aboriginal and Māori heritage, and it reinforced something he believes makes rugby league unique.

The game brings together people from different backgrounds, and for Reimis, the  Māori All Stars camp was powerful because it created opportunities for them to celebrate and learn about where they come from.

“Going into that camp and realising how passionate they are and how much it means to them was unbelievable,” says Reimis.

“It’s like a little core memory for me and my life.”

ABOUT VANESSA FOLIAKI

Reimis Smith is an Aboriginal and Māori rugby league player who has built a successful career across the NRL, Super League and representative football.

Reimis made his NRL debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2016 before going on to represent the Melbourne Storm. He then moved to France and played for the Catalan Dragons until his retirement in 2025. Across his time in the NRL, he established himself as one of the competition’s most reliable outside backs.

Reimis has also represented the Māori All Stars, an experience that strengthened his connection to his Māori heritage and provided a deeper understanding of his culture.