Gordon Wilson Political Resumé

Brief background

Since arriving in Tokoroa in 1987 in my role as administrator, I worked briefly for the Apostolic Church (Activate), another brief period with ProComp (Apple shop) in sales then 17 years as an administrator for Holster Engineering. Since 2006 I have been self-employed doing software development and support.

I am a proud father of six grown children forging their futures in New Zealand and Australia and blessed to be married to my beautiful wife Lenny from Indonesia.

I ran in a campaign for the National General Election in 2023. I’ve spent too much time studying the state of the world especially in the the last few years and do feel strongly the need to make a stand for what is right and true as so many have done beside me and in the past.

Why I am standing

Through the 2023 election, I was given a brief education in what it takes to campaign, but none on what it takes to enter office. I decided that I was not going to campaign again (famous last words) but support others who I felt were made of the right stuff and the courage to enter office to oppose the wide spread corruption that has proliferated our system of politics both in parliament, in councils around the country. If we stand by, complain but do nothing, are we not also — a part of the problem?

I’ve spoken to some local people in council both past and present. I’ve not been happy with all of them but there are a handful that I think deserve our support. Such as I am able, I have given some measure of support to those few.

As the date for nominations for Council loomed, I felt more and more concerned that not enough people were coming forward to run for Council that were required to bring about what I believe to be necessary change. While I had entertained the thought, I hoped others would put their names forward. I do think that we have a strong mayoral candidate for this election and if successful, will need votes to support. With a needed vision to re-align, we have a council who have instead, by majority vote in council, agreed to pass over control of water management, fund by borrowing a 16 million dollar upgrade to the local pools included in a Long Term Plan that failed to make sense to anyone I’ve spoken to outside of council. I am standing because it will take votes from like minded councillors to arrest the spending absurdities of this and previous terms of council.

These are some of my goals as a Councillor in no particular order:

Reduce rates not inflate them.
Make core services the first priority and focus.
MONEY

Cut new borrowing until current borrowing is repaid.
Develop a zero debt policy. Do not grow debt, eliminate it.
Borrow only for emergencies and only with a short term full repayment schedule.
Stop over spending. Stop borrowing; start saving.

Overhaul the LTP so that it actually makes sense.
Make all activities of council as visible and transparent as possible.
Make council contractors deliver on time or before and on or under budget.
Keep council assets under council control and maintenance. (No combined council CCOs.)
Eliminate council service charges that are already paid for by rates income.
Make council meetings welcoming and supportive for the public (improve the sound by increasing the volume so that people huddled at the back can hear).
Reply to all questions asked from public submissions both written and oral.
Streamline and make it feasible for smaller, and prioritise local contractors for works and project tenders.

This list will grow as I learn more about what is needed in this district. I invite you to tell me what you believe is needed. My contact details below.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. We frequently find ourselves voting for candidates in local and national elections without knowing whether they are suitable or honorable individuals. It requires effort and investigation to truly understand someone's suitability. I am willing to undergo this process, understanding that it may not be easy to achieve results, especially if people vote for those who have proven resistant to listening to the common-sense voices within our community. With your support, I hope we can all be tested and see satisfying results for this region.

Contact Details

Email: g_r_wilson@yahoo.com

Mobile: (027) 663 4962

Website: www.GordonWilson.nz

Update 15 Aug 2025:

FYI:

Authorised by Gordon Wilson (027) 663 4962.