''It was just 150 votes out of thousands,'' president-elect Kayla Miller said.
Ms Miller ran against two other candidates, and won 47% of the vote.
She said she hoped to ''make a change in New Zealand'' as OPSA president.
''The polytech has been a huge positive impact towards my path, and I would love to be able to help people have the same outcomes,'' she said.
''I'd love to focus on the living situations of students, and when it comes to financial situations, help them.''
She also hoped to raise awareness of OPSA and its services, especially in light of the meagre election turn-out.
Four students were also elected to the advisory board before the year they would be taking office.
Kerry Rushton was elected as welfare officer, Vaishak Babu as international representative, Tania Gilbert-Kennedy as Maori representative, and Leina Fofoa as Pasifika representative.
Ms Miller will replace Stephen Kohey, who served as acting OPSA president, and then president, for the previous academic year.