Introduction
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 July 2011, when he became New Zealand's High Commissioner to the Cook Islands. Since the October 2013 local elections, he has been mayor of the Far North District.
Early life
He was born in Te Kopuru, Northland and educated at Otamatea District High School. Before entering politics, Carter worked as a local government administration official. Carter is married, and has one daughter and two sons.
Political career
| 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 election, winning the Bay of Islands electorate. 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 election 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.
In February 2011, the government announced that Carter would be the next High Commissioner to the Cook Islands. He left Parliament in July 2011, but his departure did not result in a by-election, as the vacancy occurred within six months of the next general election. On 13 June 2011 Carter was granted the right to retain the title of The Honourable for his lifetime.
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.
In the 2012 New Year Honours Carter was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order 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.