New Zealand council ends contract with wizard after two decades of service

[rpannier]

The official Wizard of New Zealand, perhaps the only state-appointed wizard in the world, has been cast from the public payroll, spelling the end to a 23-year legacy.

The Wizard, whose real name is Ian Brackenbury Channell, 88, had been contracted to Christchurch city council for the past two decades to promote the city through “acts of wizardry and other wizard-like services”, at a cost of $16,000 a year. He has been paid a total of $368,000.

The Wizard, who was born in England, began performing acts of wizardry and entertainment in public spaces shortly after arriving in New Zealand in 1976. When the council originally tried to stop him, the public protested. In 1982, the New Zealand Art Gallery Directors Association said he had become a living work of art, and then, in 1990, the prime minister at the time, Mike Moore, asked that he consider becoming the Wizard of New Zealand.

snip

The city is embarking on new tourism and promotional direction that will reflect its diverse communities and “showcase a vibrant, diverse, modern city that is attractive to residents, domestic and international visitors, new businesses, and skilled migrant workers”, she said.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/15/new-zealand-council-ends-contract-with-wizard-after-two-decades-of-service

[cinematicdiversions]

1. So elderly man fired due to diversity promotion campaign.

All fun and games until the dragon attacks.

This is what you get when you defund the magic schools. I know everyone keeps saying we're not we're not really looking to defend wizards we're just looking to reform wizards.


Seriously though you should play to your strengths diversity is not a strength of Christchurch wizards on the other hand are.

[Deep State Witch]

2. He will live out his retirement

In the re-creation of Hobbiton, smoking pipeweed and annoying the locals with fireworks.