Canterbury farmer Chris Allen’s sudden death: Grieving family remembers loving husband and father

• Respected Canterbury farmer Chris Allen died on Monday after he was electrocuted while fixing a garage door.
• Emergency services were called to the farm in Ashburton Forks at 5.25pm.
• His wife, Anne-Marie, spoke to the Herald about how they met, and the legacy he’s left behind.

Mid-Canterbury farmer Chris Allen is remembered by many as a nationally acclaimed agriculturalist and a voice for nature – but his wife Anne-Marie simply remembers him as a “loving husband and a dedicated father”.

Allen was 62 when he died on Monday after he was electrocuted while fixing a garage door.

Close friend, Environment Canterbury’s Ian Mackenzie said there was “no predicting” what happened.

Chris Allen with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after the devastating Ashburton floods in 2021. Photo / George Heard

Online tributes have described his extensive contributions to the agriculture industry, and his “great legacy”.

But to Anne-Marie and his family, Allen was a “family man and a people person” above all else.

He was a “loving husband and a dedicated father” to their two children, Natalie and Jonathan.

“He was just a joker ... people wouldn’t know whether to believe what he was saying sometimes but his goal was always to make people smile,” Anne-Marie told the Herald.

The pair met in Christchurch more than 30 years ago. Both from farming families originally, it wasn’t long before they had a farm of their own, Anne-Marie revealed.

“After we met, he was quite determined we needed some land!” she said.

The Allen family, (from left to right) Chris, Anne-Marie, Natalie and Jonathan. Photo / Supplied

The family spent summers camping by the river or holidaying in Mt Maunganui, all the while Allen spent his spare time giving back to the community, Anne-Marie said.

“Chris was always heavily involved in local schools and committees ... because of his various roles including Federated Farmers and Air New Zealand, he had a lot of contacts,” she said.

An engineer originally, Allen recently attended the 70-year anniversary of the engineering base at Air New Zealand in Christchurch.

Anne-Marie described how Allen grew up with a passion for animals, farming and rivers.

When the 2021 Mid Canterbury floods hit, they both set out to help the community – despite the fact their own farm was inundated with water.

“The community needed help ... and he had the contacts to get the job done,” she said.

Anne-Marie explained how no matter the situation, Allen “always said yes”.

“He was solution-based, he never did it with confrontation – it was always about working with people to get the best outcome he could,” she said.

Overall, Anne-Marie said “he loved his family and he loved his friends”.

“He was the youngest of four and very close to his two remaining siblings that are alive,” she said.

Mackenzie told the Herald he will remember Allen for his “wicked sense of humour”.

Chris Allen pictured in 2018. Photo / Mark Mitchell

He said the Ashburton community will be “absolutely gutted”.

“He was just an outstanding fellow,” he said.

“He was articulate and passionate about agriculture and the environment but above all else, he was just a lovely man.”

Mackenzie recalled how they used to travel to Wellington together often for work trips.

“Allen knew every single flight attendant by name, that’s just the kind of lovely man he was ... so if you ended up sitting next to Chris, I guarantee he would’ve chatted to you,” he said.

Allen was a respected farmer in the Mid Canterbury region for years – and a long-time, vocal member of Federated Farmers.

His family told the Herald they are “devastated and can’t really put it into words”.

“We loved him for who he was and we are incredibly proud,” Anne-Marie said.

Katie Oliver is a Christchurch-based Multimedia Journalist and breaking news reporter.