There are some professions that make people wonder how anyone could make a living doing that activity. While normally these odd jobs serve some form of purpose, albeit an unconventional one, for one man in New Zealand his career has more to do with appearance than anything. The city of Christchurch pays the man $10,000 to be the city’s official wizard, and apparently the he is looking currently for his replacement.
Ian Brackenbury Channell has been known as “The Wizard” in Christchurch, New Zealand for years, as he even has the name listed on his driver’s license. Since 1998, the Christchurch City Council pays him about $10,000 a year for “wizardry.” The Wizard has become a public fixture in the town, but now at the age of 87 he has begun to search for his replacement.
While nothing has been decided, it appears The Wizard has found a potential replacement in Ari Freeman, a guitar teacher who fronts a psychedelic funk band. Just like his predecessor, Freeman has the distinct look of a wizard. Luckily for Christchurch, it appears they won’t be without an official wizard when it comes time for the current wizard to give up his duties.
Via CNN