John Carter (New Zealand politician)

The Honourable John Carter MP
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
Incumbent
Assumed office 1996
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	8 May 1950 (1950-05-08)
Nationality	New Zealand
Political party	National Party
Occupation	Local Government Official
Website	johncarter.co.nz

John McGregor Carter QSO (born 8 May 1950) is a New Zealand politician, and member of the National Party. He represented the Bay of Islands, Far North and Northland electorates from 1987 until June 2011. He is currently New Zealand's High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.

Early life

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

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
1987–1990	42nd	Bay of Islands		National
1990–1993	43rd	Bay of Islands		National
1993–1996	44th	Far North		National
1996–1999	45th	Northland	34	National
1999–2002	46th	Northland	16	National
2002–2005	47th	Northland	21	National
2005–2008	48th	Northland	15	National
2008–2011	49th	Northland	21	National

Carter was elected to Parliament in the 1987 elections, winning the Bay of Islands electorate. He has remained an MP for that area since then, although the seat was called Far North in 1993 and is now called Northland. When the National Party came to power in the 1990 elections, Carter became the Junior Government Whip, and then 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.

In February 2011, the government announced that Carter would be the next High Commissioner to the Cook Islands. 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.

Carter was made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order in the 2012 New Year Honours, for services as a Member of Parliament.

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.

External links

• John Carter official site
• Profile at National party
• Profile at New Zealand Parliament
• Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou.co.nz

Political offices
Preceded by Rick Barker	Minister of Civil Defence 2008–2011	Succeeded by Craig Foss
Preceded by Ruth Dyson	Minister for Senior Citizens 2008–2011
Preceded by Winston Peters	Minister of Racing 2008–2011
Parliament of New Zealand
Preceded by Neill Austin	Member of Parliament for Bay of Islands 1987–1993	Constituency abolished
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Far North 1993–1996
	Member of Parliament for Northland 1996–2011	Succeeded by vacant