Allen elected to board position

‘‘I love making a difference and helping people. This for me is a natural extension of that’’

Andrea Allen has claimed the vacant seat on the WoodendSefton Community Board.

The result of the ward’s byelection was announced after voting closed on Friday by Electoral Officer Anthony Morton. Allen led second-placed Peter Farrant by 140 votes to fill the vacancy.

‘‘It hasn’t been under the best sort of circumstances but I still feel fortunate and grateful for the opportunity,’’ Allen said.

Six candidates stood for the position, which was vacated by the late Karen Eastwood, who passed away in December after a short period of ill-health. The 44-year-old had been an active member of the community, most notably as an elected representative, serving as chairperson of the Woodend-Ashley Community Board, and then as a member of the new Woodend-Sefton Board.

Eastwood received the most votes in the 2016 election, with 898. Only 1,220 votes (24.77%) were returned in the by-election.

Allen, who had finished 19 votes behind the Rhonda Mather last year, received 402 votes (32.95%) in the by-election in what will be her first role as a public servant.

‘‘It was bummer to miss out last year but it didn’t detract me from coming back again. It was a bit earlier than I thought, but it is what it is.’’

A Southland girl at heart, Allen moved out to North Canterbury 18 months ago.

‘‘We fell in love with it after two weeks and have started building in Pegasus.

‘‘I haven’t been born and bred here in North Canterbury, and I appreciate that fact is paramount to many people, but we have a lot of new blood out here now.

‘‘Change can be good and bring fresh ideas.’’

As well as being the new face on the board, Allen is new to politics. ‘‘I had always wanted to get into local politics, ever since I was young.

‘‘I love making a difference and helping people. This for me is a natural extension of that.’’

Allen finished up with CTV in December and is now pursuing a career in real estate. ‘‘It’s different but it is still people.’’

She starts her career in politics when the Woodend-Sefton Community Board has their next meeting on March 13.