He was deputy leader of the Social Credit Political League between 1977 and 1981, and Mayor of Hastings from 1986 to 2001.
[1][2] He studied at Ardmore Teachers' Training College, gaining a Diploma of Teaching in 1969 and TTC in 1971.
[1] In 1983, Dwyer married Marilyn Eva McKay, and the couple had one son.
[1] Dwyer was a teacher and head of department of history and social studies at Te Aute College from 1972 to 1976.
[1] He stood as a parliamentary candidate for the League three times, coming third each time: at the 1972 election for Gisborne (receiving 654 votes); and at the 1975 and 1978 general elections for Hastings (1,788 and 5,373 votes respectively).