“While I understand the constraints around process, I have found the inefficient use of time more frustrating over time, I guess because you realise you have less of it left.
“However I did enjoy the challenge of dealing with the complexities local bodies have to deal with and the great people I have met along the way.
“With the health board, I felt I was a good fit for the task as I had the experience in pharmacy over 40 years, along with many governance roles.
“While there was a continual challenge to deliver the health needs within the budget given, there has been some progress to doing things a better way and some good health indicators coming through.
“In the end, though, I felt I wasn't adding much value to the board's decisions and the demoralising uphill battle with people's lack of health literacy and self responsibility.”
Mr Wilson said his father's background as a Napier city councillor helped in his decision to stand for public office.
He sold his pharmacy in 1999 and thought of taking a year off to decide what to do next.
“Every time I visited my father, local body issues seemed to be the main point of discussion.
“This naturally made me consider being a councillor here in Gisborne.
“John Clarke (the mayor at the time) had been a customer at the pharmacy and encouraged me to stand.
“I stood for the health board as a result of encouragement from others.”
Mr Wilson said he would have a lot of time on his hands in Auckland.
“I will continue my sport but hope to get involved in local organisations in Browns Bay, where we will live.
“This may include environmental things as Auckland continues to have many issues in this field.”
Mr Wilson's other activities in Gisborne include president of the YMCA, director of Tlab and a trustee of the Surf Lifesaving Gisborne Charitable Trust.
He was a trustee of Eastland Community Trust for eight years, which “ramped up grants to the community while investing earnings into a portfolio of shares and bonds, which is now providing significant returns”.
Mr Wilson has been a board member of Tourism Eastland and an executive member of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce.
He remains president of Gisborne YMCA, a position he intends to retain until mid-2020.
Sport has played a large role in his life.
He represented New Zealand in three surf lifesaving tests against Australia, competed in a world team and won many individual and team titles over 30 years.
Mr Wilson has been a successful kayaker and was a coach in the multiple gold medal-winning New Zealand team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, which included Gisborne men Alan Thompson and Grant Bramwell.
“In 1989, at the time of the birth of waka ama as a sport, I added that to my sports, which I continue today.”
Over the past 30 years, Mr Wilson has won numerous New Zealand and world medals.
He has been a New Zealand selector, coach and chairman of Midway Surf Life Saving Club and the Gisborne district surf lifesaving association.
“I will leave Gisborne behind with many memories, especially in the many water sports I have competed in,” said Mr Wilson.
“Gisborne is a beautiful and outstanding place and will continue to be enjoyed and admired by all who come here.”
