Chris Allen with then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after the devastating Ashburton floods in 2021. Photo / George Heard
Respected Canterbury farmer Chris Allen died after being electrocuted while fixing a garage door.
Emergency services were called to Greenview Ltd farm in Ashburton Forks about 5.25pm yesterday.
Allen, 62, was known across Canterbury and New Zealand for his contribution to agriculture and environmental work.
Former colleague and close friend, Environment Canterbury’s Ian Mackenzie, was devastated to hear Allen had died.
“I was just knocked off my perch; a mutual colleague who witnessed it rang up to tell me what happened,” he said.
Mackenzie said he also spoke with Allen’s family members this morning, and they confirmed he died following an electrocution while he was fixing the garage door.
Mackenzie said there was “no predicting” what happened and given Allen’s vast experience and knowledge, described the death as a “freak accident”.
A police spokesperson said emergency services were called to the farm at 5.25pm.
They said the death was not suspicious but could not release further information until next-of-kin had been told.
WorkSafe told the Herald it was making initial inquiries to determine if the circumstances were work-related.
Police said his death has been referred to the coroner.
Mackenzie remembered Allen for his “wicked sense of humour”. He said the Ashburton community will be “absolutely gutted” today.
“He was just an outstanding fellow.” During the 2021 mid-Canterbury floods, Mackenzie said, “despite the fact that his own property was damaged his focus was to get the engineering right for the whole community to prevent further flooding”.
“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 and vocal member of Federated Farmers. Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers president David Acland said Allen had “incredible mana” in the community.
“It’s a tragedy and he gave a significant contribution both to Federated Farmers and the wider community in his time.”
Acland said Allen’s death has devastated the local rural network.
“He was a big part of the community and the school board of trustees for years.
“Everyone’s shaken by what happened.”
Acland also said Allen’s contribution to the freshwater and biodiversity space was significant and revealed it wasn’t just farmers who respected him, but also environmental groups.
“His contribution was massive outside and beyond the farm gate,” he said.
Allen’s sheep and beef property near Mt Somers was badly damaged in 2021′s devastating floods and then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited the farm.
Former Minister of Agriculture and Labour’s current trade spokesperson Damien O’Connor said he was shocked and saddened by Allen’s death.
“It’s very, very tragic and my sympathy goes out to his family, of course who will be struggling with this,” O’Connor told The Country.
Former Ashburton Mayor Angus McKay said he was “very, very sad to hear the news” and described Allen as a quiet leader who believed in consensus.
“When trying to convince people of the way forward he had a wonderful intellect that used factual scientific information along with history of what not to do,” McKay said.
McKay recalled how Allen led the Ashburton River rating zone, which “provided protection for surrounding farming families to make the river less likely to flood their homes”.
Motorists are being warned to expect hazardous driving conditions.