In a move leading arcane experts have decried as “thaumaturgically unwise”, the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, has sacked its official Wizard.
Ian Brackenbury Channell (pictured left), also known as The Wizard of New Zealand, has been paid $16,000 NZD per year for “acts of wizardry and other wizard-like-services – as part of promotional work for the city of Christchurch”, for a total of $368,000 NZD since 1998.
However, Christchurch is now bringing the contract to an end, with the final payment to be made in December. The Wizard says the city felt he no longer fit with its modern image, and blasted the council as “a bunch of bureaucrats who have no imagination” – though, in fairness, some worryingly misogynistic jokes he made on a comedy show in April may also have had something to do with it.
According to assistant chief executive Lynn McClelland from Christchurch Council, sending The Wizard packing was a “difficult decision”.
“The promotional landscape in Ōtautahi Christchurch is changing, with new and different promotional programmes that will increasingly reflect our 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.
While it was probably time for this particular Wizard to come off the city’s payroll, we can only hope that Christchurch decides to hire a new one before any Dark Lords, Goblin Kings, and/or dragons arise to threaten the realm.
