John Carter (New Zealand politician)

The Honourable John Carter QSO
Minister of Civil Defence
In office 19 November 2008 – 8 June 2011
Prime Minister	John Key
Preceded by	Rick Barker
Succeeded by	Craig Foss
Minister for Senior Citizens
In office 19 November 2008 – 8 June 2011
Prime Minister	John Key
Preceded by	Ruth Dyson
Succeeded by	Craig Foss
Minister for Racing
In office 19 November 2008 – 8 June 2011
Prime Minister	John Key
Preceded by	new electorate
Succeeded by	Craig Foss
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Northland
In office 1996 – 2011
Succeeded by	Mike Sabin
Majority	10,054 (29.89%)
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Far North
In office 1993 – 1996
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Bay of Islands
In office 1987 – 1993
Preceded by	Neill Austin
Personal details
Born	(1950-05-08) 8 May 1950
Nationality	New Zealand
Political party	National Party
Occupation	Local Government Official
Website	johncarter.co.nz

John McGregor Carter (born 8 May 1950) is a New Zealand politician, and member of the National Party. He was born in Te Kopuru, Northland and educated at Otamatea District High School.^[1]

He represented the Bay of Islands, Far North and Northland electorates from 1987 until June 2011. He retired as New Zealand's High Commissioner to the Cook Islands in July 2013 to return to the Far North of New Zealand, successfully running for Mayor of the Far North in October 2013. ^[2]

Early life

Before entering politics, Carter worked as a local government administration official.

Member of Parliament

Carter was elected to Parliament in the 1987 elections, winning the Bay of Islands electorate.^[3] He continued to present area although the seat changed names to Far North in 1993 and later Northland. The National Party came to power in the 1990 elections when Carter was appointed as the Junior Government Whip, and later Senior Government Whip until 1995 and again from 1996 to mid-2004.

Carter was sacked as Whip in 1995, after he phoned into a talkback radio show, hosted by fellow National MP John Banks, impersonating a workshy Māori called Hone, causing widespread offence.^[4]

In February 2011, the government announced that Carter would be the next High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.^[5] He left Parliament in June 2011, but his departure did not result in a by-election, as the vacancy occurred within six months of the next general election.^[6] On 13 June 2011 Carter was granted the right^[7] to retain the title of the Honourable for his lifetime.

In the New Year Honours 2012 Carter was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for services as a Member of Parliament.^[8][9]

Political views

Carter is a supporter of the Monarchy in New Zealand. In 1992, a year described by Queen Elizabeth II as her annus horribilis, Carter called on New Zealanders to write in to express their support for her, having written to The Times of London criticising the British media's apparent lack of respect towards the Queen. Inundated with letters of support, he remarked that "we wanted her to know we cared". In March 1994 he publicly disavowed Prime Minister Jim Bolger's call for a New Zealand republic.

References

External links

• John Carter official site
• Profile at National party
• Profile at New Zealand Parliament