[3] Their sheep runs included Stronvar, Wantwood, the Wither, Glenfield, Te Arowhenua, Richmond Dale, the Clarence, and Burleigh,[1] and the Carter brothers were regarded as the wool kings of the Wairau Valley.

[1] Carter was first elected onto the Marlborough Provincial Council for the Wairau Valley electorate on 15 August 1862.

He remained an elected member until the abolition of the provincial government system at the end of 1876.

[5] He was Superintendent of Marlborough Province from 25 March 1863 until 30 July 1864,[6] when he resigned as the role took up too much of his time.

[1] In 1891, Carter bought the Wither Run on the outskirts of Blenheim, including the Burleigh homestead.