Christchurch parts ways with its official wizard after two decades of service

There's a little bit less magic in Christchurch, New Zealand after its municipal council moved to close the book on its contract with its official wizard of over twenty-three years. Born in London, 88 year old Ian Brackenbury Channell studied sociology and psychology at Leeds University, before moving to Australia where he taught sociology at the University of New South Wales.

Mr. Channell moved to Christchurch in the 1970s, becoming a regulare fixture in the main city square, where he would often speak while standing on a ladder, dressed in a wizard robe and matching hat.  Police attempts to arrest him angered the New Zealand public so much that it compelled the government to designate the square as a "public speaking area."

He was designated a "living work of art" by the New Zealand Art Gallery Directors Association in 1982, and in his decades performing "acts of wizardry" for the city became quite the tourist attraction. He performed rain-dances in New Zealand and Australia during droughts, and was a vociferous opponent against the demolition of heritage buildings following the devastating 2011 earthquake.

In 1990, then Prime Minister Mike Moore a sked that Mr. Channell  "urgently consider" becoming New Zealand's official Wizard. "No doubt there will be implications in the area of spells, blessings, curses, and other supernatural matters that are beyond the competence of mere Prime Ministers," Mr Moore wrote in a letter.

The Wizard of Christchurch landed in hot water for some remarks he made about women on an unspecified comedy current affairs show, where among other comments he said to "never strike a woman, because they bruise too easily".

Explaining the decision, municipal council spokesperson Lynn McClleland told the Guardian the city wants to "showcase a vibrant, diverse, modern city that is attractive to residents, domestic and international visitors, new businesses, and skilled migrant workers", adding that "it was a difficult decision, but the Wizard would forever be a part of [Christchurch's] history."  

Mr Channell did not take kindly to the news, saying that he no longer fitted "the vibes" of the city because he was a "provocateur". He also lambasted the municipal council, telling New Zealand news website, Stuff that "they are a bunch of bureaucrats who have no imagination."

He had been paid roughly $368,000 tax-free in a special arrangement with the city for his work as the official city wizard.