John Girling for Horizons

12/10/2025

Thanks to all that supported me. Sadly, we did not muster enough votes.

08/10/2025

Time is running out! Exercise your democratic right today!

05/10/2025

Make your voice heard. You have six days left to exercise your democratic right! Use it or it will be thought that you don't want it.
Vote John Girling for Horizons. We want the best possible outcomes for you.,

04/10/2025

Use your Voice! Vote John Girling for Horizons

02/10/2025

01/10/2025

“Strong Voice, Practical Solutions, Thriving Communities.”

“Protecting Our Environment, Supporting Our People.”

“Local Leadership, Regional Vision.”

“Turning Community Plans Into Action.”

“For Horowhenua: Balanced, Fair, Future-Focused.”

“Science, Community, Integrity.”

“Working Together for People and Place.”

Vote John Girling for HORIZONS!

23/09/2025

Democracy only works if we use it.
Don’t sit back – step forward.
Vote John Girling for Horizons Regional Council.

23/09/2025

Knowledge, Experience and Wisdom in Governance

In governance, three qualities truly matter: knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Each is important on its own, but together they create the foundation for effective leadership and decision-making.

Knowledge is the understanding of facts — the policies, the budgets, and the laws that guide us. It is also about knowing our people, our challenges, and our opportunities. Without knowledge, decisions risk being uninformed or short-sighted.

Experience comes from action. It is earned through years of service, through working alongside communities and being accountable for results. Experience teaches what theory cannot: how to listen, how to adapt, and how to persevere.

Wisdom is the ability to draw on both knowledge and experience, and apply them with fairness and foresight. It is knowing when to stand firm, when to compromise, and when to take a long-term view. Wisdom ensures that governance decisions are not just about today, but about tomorrow’s community too.

Over the past nine years, I have served on the Te Awahou Foxton Community Board, the last three as Chair, working closely with residents, local groups, and council staff. This role has given me both the knowledge of local government processes and the experience of leading through challenges and opportunities. Before that, I worked overseas as a foreign expert in agriculture and education in China, where I gained valuable insights into collaboration, cultural understanding, and long-term planning.

These experiences have strengthened my belief that governance requires more than just technical knowledge. It requires lived experience, and the wisdom to apply both in a way that serves people fairly and sustainably. As a candidate for Regional Council, I bring that combination of knowledge, experience, and wisdom to ensure decisions are made for the lasting benefit of Horowhenua.

10/09/2025

When we talk about leadership, three qualities stand out: knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Knowledge gives us the facts — it is what we study and learn. Experience shows us how those facts work in the real world. And wisdom comes when we combine the two to make fair, balanced decisions that serve the whole community.
I have been fortunate to build each of these qualities. For the past nine years, I have served on the Te Awahou Foxton Community Board, the last three as Chair, working alongside residents to solve local challenges working with both HDC and Horizons. Before that, I spent fifteen years overseas as a foreign expert in agriculture and education, gaining a wider perspective on how communities grow and thrive. These experiences have taught me that leadership is not about serving the few — it is about ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
In all these activities consultation with the people has been of paramount importance and listening is an important component of this – that is why I was blessed with two ears and one mouth – I try to use them in that ratio.
However, your role in democracy is so vital. Democracy may not be perfect, but it is the best system we have — provided we all use it. When we don’t vote, we give up our say. We give up the right to shape our future.
So I encourage you: when you cast your vote, choose the person who demonstrates knowledge, who has gained experience, and who shows the wisdom to put the community first. Because democracy works best when leaders serve all people — not just the wealthy, not just the loudest voices, but the whole community. That is YOUR Community!
Vote John Girling for Horizons.
Thank you.

07/09/2025

YOUR VOTE MATTERS
In a democracy, the public has the power. If we don’t vote, we give up the right to complain.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Voting is more than a duty—it’s how we hold leaders accountable.

CHOOSE LEADERS FOR ALL
We need representatives who work for the whole community, not just the wealthy or well-connected.

DEMOCRACY ONLY WORKS WHEN WE USE IT
It’s not perfect—but it’s the best system we have.

VALUE YOUR VOICE. USE YOUR VOTE.
Together, we can build fairness, opportunity, and a future that works for everyone.

06/09/2025

Knowledge, Experience and Wisdom in Governance
In governance, three qualities truly matter: knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Each is important on its own, but together they create the foundation for effective leadership and decision-making.
Knowledge is the understanding of facts — the policies, the budgets, and the laws that guide us. It is also about knowing our people, our challenges, and our opportunities. Without knowledge, decisions risk being uninformed or short-sighted.
Experience comes from action. It is earned through years of service, through working alongside communities and being accountable for results. Experience teaches what theory cannot: how to listen, how to adapt, and how to persevere.
Wisdom is the ability to draw on both knowledge and experience, and apply them with fairness and foresight. It is knowing when to stand firm, when to compromise, and when to take a long-term view. Wisdom ensures that governance decisions are not just about today, but about tomorrow’s community too.
Over the past nine years, I have served as Chair of the Te Awahou Foxton Community Board, working closely with residents, local groups, and council staff. This role has given me both the knowledge of local government processes and the experience of leading through challenges and opportunities. Before that, I worked overseas as a foreign expert in agriculture and education in China, where I gained valuable insights into collaboration, cultural understanding, and long-term planning.
These experiences have strengthened my belief that governance requires more than just technical knowledge. It requires lived experience, and the wisdom to apply both in a way that serves people fairly and sustainably. As a candidate for Regional Council, I bring that combination of knowledge, experience, and wisdom to ensure decisions are made for the lasting benefit of Horowhenua.
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02/09/2025

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