The Wizard of New Zealand (born Ian Brackenbury Channell; 4 December 1932) is a New Zealand educator, comedian, magician and politician.
He is also known by his shorter name, The Wizard. ==Life and career== === England === The Wizard was born Ian Brackenbury Channell on 4 December 1932 in London, England.
Educated at Framlingham College, Suffolk and from 1945 to 1951 at Bromley Grammar School for Boys, now Ravensbourne School.
Educated at Framlingham College, Suffolk and from 1945 to 1951 at Bromley Grammar School for Boys, now Ravensbourne School.
From 1951 to 1953 he served in the Royal Air Force as an airman and in 1963 he graduated from the University of Leeds with a double honours degree in psychology and sociology; as a student at Leeds he was a member of the institution's University Challenge team. === Australia === Shortly after his graduation, he was recruited by the University of Western Australia Adult Education Board to run their community arts programme.
From 1951 to 1953 he served in the Royal Air Force as an airman and in 1963 he graduated from the University of Leeds with a double honours degree in psychology and sociology; as a student at Leeds he was a member of the institution's University Challenge team. === Australia === Shortly after his graduation, he was recruited by the University of Western Australia Adult Education Board to run their community arts programme.
From 1951 to 1953 he served in the Royal Air Force as an airman and in 1963 he graduated from the University of Leeds with a double honours degree in psychology and sociology; as a student at Leeds he was a member of the institution's University Challenge team. === Australia === Shortly after his graduation, he was recruited by the University of Western Australia Adult Education Board to run their community arts programme.
He founded the Imperial British Conservative Party to provide a counterbalance to international capitalism and the various forms of Nazism. === New Zealand === In 1974 the Wizard migrated to Christchurch in New Zealand and began to speak on a ladder in Cathedral Square.
Soon afterwards, accompanied by 42 assistant wizards, he came down by gondola from the Port Hills with tablets bearing the address of his new website. In 1982 the New Zealand Art Gallery Directors Association issued a statement that in their opinion The Wizard was an authentic living work of art and the city council appointed him "Wizard of Christchurch".
In 1990 the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mike Moore, an old friend, appointed him the official "Wizard of New Zealand". He provided his services free until the Christchurch City Council granted him a modest annual honorarium.
The Wizard has received financial support from his partner, Alice Flett. On 8 September 2003 The Wizard's large wooden house was destroyed by a fire, which Christchurch police treated as arson.
The Wizard continues to speak on the need to preserve Christchurch's heritage buildings. Since 2014, Ari Freeman has been The Wizard's apprentice. The Wizard was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours, for service to the community. ==Public speaking== The Wizard performed in Cathedral Square on weekdays from 1–2pm from November to Easter.
The "Wizardmobile", constructed from the front halves of two VW Beetles, was also attacked and damaged. After the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, The Wizard planned to retire and permanently leave Christchurch, saying that the town he loved had gone and that it was the end of an era.
The Wizard continues to speak on the need to preserve Christchurch's heritage buildings. Since 2014, Ari Freeman has been The Wizard's apprentice. The Wizard was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours, for service to the community. ==Public speaking== The Wizard performed in Cathedral Square on weekdays from 1–2pm from November to Easter.
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Page generated on 2021-08-05