"That sail to Rapanui was my graduation test to becoming a navigator, I had to find Rapanui and I was fortunate enough to find it, because the next stop would be South America, and I wouldn't have been too popular with the crew.
"I navigated two waka, Te Aurere and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti from Aotearoa to Rapanui."
The voyage involved using only traditional navigation techniques, using the stars, moon, sun, ocean swells, currents and wildlife.
"As a voyager you're all part of a crew, everyone has got their own role to help keep the waka on course and make sure that you find the island."
After arriving back home he visited the historic river mouth where he grew up nearby. The whole area resembled a rubbish dump, and he knew that it was the right place for the Ātea-a-Rangi, since then, he says things have been falling into place.
Becoming a navigator was an unexpected journey for Smith who started out looking for something that involved adventure, tikanga and Te Reo Māori.
He ended up under the tutelage of two of the country's most renowned celestial navigators Jack Thatcher from Tauranga Moana and Hekenuimai Busby from Northland.
He was in his mid-30s at the time he began learning about traditional navigation techniques before being selected to train as a navigator.
"Initially I didn't do it to learn navigation, I was just doing kaupapa waka and lucky to be selected on various voyages, then with more wānanga and open ocean voyaging experience, things started falling into place and the stars started to make sense."
He says being a navigator is hard work "the reality is when you're navigating it means you get hardly any sleep, and you go through many mental tests" he says with a grin.
Being a voyager on various waka has meant Smith has been able to travel to different parts of New Zealand and around the world.
He's one of the founders and former chairman of the Te Matau a Māui Voyaging Trust and has now turned his full focus to overseeing the completion of the Ātea-a-Rangi and forming the Ātea-a-Rangi Educational Trust, which is closely linked to the Te Matau a Māui Voyaging Trust.
Smith has formed the Ātea-a-Rangi Educational Trust with the two main carvers on the project, Phil Belcher and Nathan Foote.
"We're keen to give a quality educational experience to schools but also do community events at certain times of the year which acknowledge the movements of the sun and stars, however it will always be available and open to the general public.
"Holding wānanga in the future for people involved in waka hourua from around the Pacific will also be a focus.
"It's been a huge journey over the past five years in getting the project funding, and bringing in different people and organisations, it really has been about partnerships, and goes to show that good things can be done when councils work together with local Māori in partnership."
"I'm not responsible for everything down at Waitangi, the Regional Council has played the major role, as well as many others, we are just adding a small part which makes up the whole regional park. There's been a bit of luck along the way getting a lot of help and guidance from our tipuna opening up doors."
Regular carving wānanga have meant some of the crew from the Te Matau a Māui are able to learn how to carve some of the pou that will be a part of the Ātea-a-Rangi.
However the main focus of the project is so that it will be an educational tool for waka people, schools and the general public to learn about the great Pacific migrations and celestial navigation.
"In terms of local Māori and European history, the area encompassing the Waitangi Regional Park would be one of the most important in Hawke's Bay".
The Regional Council and Ātea-a-Rangi Educational Trust are working on more signage which will outline the history and environmental aspects of the park.
This month Piripi was one of four community members recognised for their contribution to the community.
He was given a 2017 Napier Citizens' Civic Award which was celebrated in front of family and friends and was hosted by Napier Mayor Bill Dalton.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the awards which began in 1977 and Smith says the award came as a surprise to him.
"I didn't know anything about it, and am truly humbled by the people I would call mentors who put my name forward."
His nomination noted the countless hours he has given to training the crew, and maintenance of the Ahuriri-based waka Te Matau a Māui.
Citing the dedication given to the upkeep of the waka describing him as a true celestial navigator. His nomination also cited his commitment to the Waitangi Park and Ātea-a-Rangi Star compass project.
Smith is taking the award in his stride as he continues the work that needs to be done with his other team members to see their vision completed.