video. In New Zealand, the city of Christchurch breaks with its … charmer

At eighty-eight, Ian Brackenbury Chanel was a celebrity in town and tourists from all over the world came to see him address the crowd in his black dress, long beard, shaggy hair, and hat pointed on his head.

This wizard was in all fights, attacking politicians or leading a fight to prevent an “attack on the soul of the city” when the red telephone booths had to be repainted blue.

He was invited to cast spells to influence the outcome of major rugby matches or perform the rain dance in Australia.

“It’s a tough decision to end this contract,” said Lynn McClelland, Christchurch City Council deputy. “The council is grateful to him for his valuable and special contribution to the cultural life of our city, and he will forever be a part of our history.”

The city wants a new image

Lynn McClelland explained that magic no longer fits the image the South Island’s largest city intends to promote, and that new programs “will increasingly reflect our diverse communities and showcase a vibrant, diverse and modern city.”

British-born Ian Brackenbury Chanel, a former RAF pilot and a graduate of the University of Leeds with a double major in psychology and sociology, arrived in Christchurch in 1974.

When he started talking publicly, the city council called for his arrest, but he became so popular that 10 years later he threatened to leave after a spell failed him. Anticipating the impact during a rugby match, the city council asked him to stay.

“It was a welcome change of attitude after years of hostile policies from City Council,” he said. In 1990, Prime Minister Mike Moore officially called him “The Wizard of New Zealand”.

$16000 per year

Since 1998, the magician has received 16,000 New Zealand dollars (9,745 euros) annually by the city council for the performance of his duties as a magician. He did not hide his anger after the city council’s decision.

“They are a bunch of bureaucrats with no imagination,” he said. On the Stuff News website.

“They are not thinking of ways to promote Christchurch abroad.” “They are not taking advantage of my global bad reputation. I am disappointed that they did not use The Wizard.