Wilson, part of the new Harbour coaching team with fellow former All Black Craig Dowd, said coaching was something he really wanted to do.
"This is my first full-time role as a coach and we are learning our lessons.
We are looking long-term and making sure we are getting plenty of feedback from guys who matter," Wilson said.
"It's something I want to do long-term. But it is no different than being a player. Coaching is that sort of a job. You've got to perform and you're always under review."
Wilson (35) was the director of rugby with the Otago union but resigned in late 2007, saying he wanted a more hands-on coaching role.
He has got that, teaming up with Dowd this year, and the pair have steered North Harbour to a win over defending champion Canterbury, followed by a loss last Friday night to Tasman.
The side will face Otago at Carisbrook tonight.
"Obviously, we performed well in our first game and then against Tasman we did not finish off things and they took us out of the game at the end.
"We are happy where we are at but we are up against an Otago team which is going to be really desperate.
"They have played reasonably well in their first two games but unfortunately have not come away with a win. They are a Super 14 base franchise and that is a reality for us."
Wilson said the competition was shaping as being extremely even, with any side capable of tipping up another.
Looking at the leaden skies yesterday, he said the conditions were going to make it tough for his young side but it was great to be back at Carisbrook.
"It's a fantastic stadium and it is great to be able to come back for another time.
"I've been in the opposition changing room before. It's Carisbrook, and as a ground it hasn't changed much."
The inclusion of Luke McAlister was a tough call, but he was an All Black and Wilson was confident in him performing well.
McAlister did not arrive with the North Harbour side yesterday, as he was at an All Black training camp in Auckland.
Wilson has a three-year contract with North Harbour, and said he and wife Adine had settled well on the North Shore.
"When I was in Dunedin, I was actually further away from work than I am now. The people have been brilliant and North Harbour is a strong union.
"We have made some changes and the attitude is really positive. There is a good feeling about what we want to do."
Despite his move north, he still considered himself a southerner.
"Absolutely. I've still got a lot of family in Southland. I spent the first half of the year commuting to Invercargill, with Adine playing down there.
"I've still got a house in Brighton. But when an opportunity comes along you've got to go where it is."
