[1] After leaving school Hunter became a flax and scrub cutter before moving to Wellington in 1920 to become a tram driver.

He was also a dominion councillor of the Alliance of Labour and a long time member of the Workers' Educational Association (WEA).

[3] Initially he was set to stand in Wairarapa but changed to Manawatu at the insistence of Labour's general-secretary Walter Nash.

Manawatu lost Labour voting areas such as Foxton, Shannon and Levin leading Hunter to anticipate losing the seat.

He retired from the role in 1969 but was recalled to his position temporarily in 1974 when the entire industrial award system had to be re-negotiated following then end of economic stabilisation regulations.

[6] In 1985 he attended an event held at Parliament to celebrate 50 years since the First Labour Government along with the only other MPs from 1935 still alive, Sir Arnold Nordmeyer and Ormond Wilson.