Owners of the 17 villages received Arvida shares, rather than cash, in return for their holdings.
Carter was unsure of how many shares he now owned in Arvida, or his stake in the listed firm.
And he wouldn't reveal how much he had invested into retirement villages.
But Carter was bullish about the growth potential of the aged care sector, which he has been involved with as an investor for about a decade.
"Obviously today's a very special day for [Arvida] to become public," he said. "I guess it's just the start so it's exciting times ahead."
Carter said he had been introduced to the aged care industry by the late Grant Adamson, a Christchurch-based private banker, who he described as "a bit of a mentor in the early part of my career".
Arvida director Michael Ambrose said Adamson had been one of the "leading lights" in New Zealand's retirement village industry.
"It was Grant's vision to put this [Arvida] IPO together," he said.
Adamson died after suffering a brain aneurism last year as work on the Arvida float began.
"When he was in hospital I made a bit of a commitment to him, he probably couldn't hear me, but I said I would do everything in my power to see his vision through," Ambrose said. "We're really looking forward to the start of the new Arvida and somewhere up there our good mate Grant's looking down on us with a big smile."
Arvida shares rose from the 95c offer price to a high of 97c after trading commenced this morning.
The newly-listed stock then fell to 94c before settling back at the 95c level.
More than two million shares had changed hands in 100 trades by midday.
Arvida raised $80 million through its fully subscribed initial public offer (IPO), which will be primarily used to pay down debt.
The 95c offer price, set through an auction-style bookbuild process with institutional investors and brokers last month, valued the company at roughly $214.2 million.
Ten of Arvida's 17 villages are located in Canterbury, with the remaining facilities in Nelson, Blenheim, Waikanae, Palmerston North, New Plymouth and the Bay of Plenty.
It operates 952 aged care beds and 812 retirement units, with 1800 residents and 1000 staff.
Eighty per cent of Arvida's portfolio provides care services through care beds and serviced apartments.
The company says it has a high proportion of care services in its portfolio compared with its competitors, which will result in strong cash flows and less earnings volatility.
Following the IPO, the existing village owners, directors and management were expected to own 60 per cent of Arvida and their holdings are subject to sale restrictions until May 2016.
Arvida has forecast net profit of $10.6 million for its first full year of operation - the 12 months to March 2016.
The company intends to pay quarterly dividends amounting to 60 to 80 per cent of underlying profit.
Net debt was expected to be around $7.8 million after the IPO.
Arvida has previously indicated that it could begin acquiring additional villages next year.
Acquisitions will be funded with a $40 million debt facility the company has secured with its bankers.
Arivida's management team is headed by chief executive Bill McDonald, who has 12 years' experience in the aged care sector including the development of the Rylands facilities in Melbourne.
The offer was managed by Forsyth Barr.
