Editing The Wizard of New Zealand (section)

=== New Zealand ===

[[Image:Wizard of Christchurch.JPG|right|thumb|The Wizard in front of Christchurch Cathedral in January 2007]]
[[File:The Wizard of New Zealand and Alf's Imperial Army.jpg|thumb|The Wizard of New Zealand escorted by members of [[Alf's Imperial Army]] at his investiture with the Queen's Service Medal, 2009]]
[[File:Wizard's wishes.jpg|thumb|The Wizard in December 2012]]

In 1974, the Wizard migrated to [[Christchurch]] in New Zealand and began to speak on a ladder in [[Cathedral Square, Christchurch|Cathedral Square]]. The city council attempted to have him arrested, but he became so popular that they made the square a [[public speaking]] area. Wearing his costume as a [[false prophet]] of the [[Church of England]], or his wizard's pointy hat, he has spoken there at lunchtimes in the summer months.{{sfn|Wizard|1998|pp=74–79}}

He confronted [[Telecom New Zealand|Telecom]] over the colour of public telephone boxes, played for the local rugby team, heckled Christian [[Evangelism|evangelist]] [[Ray Comfort]], evaded the compulsory [[New Zealand census]] and performed [[rain dance]]s in [[Canterbury Region|Canterbury]], [[Auckland]] and the Australian [[outback]].

In 1982, the [[National Art Gallery of New Zealand|New Zealand Art Gallery]] directors association issued a statement that in their opinion the Wizard was an authentic living work of art and the [[Christchurch City Council|city council]] appointed him "Wizard of Christchurch". In 1990, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, [[Mike Moore (New Zealand politician)|Mike Moore]], an old friend, appointed him the official "Wizard of New Zealand".

With the help of the mayor, [[Vicki Buck]], the city of Christchurch hosted a wizards' conclave in 1995 when visiting colleagues gathered to help build a wizard's nest on top of the university library tower, to witness the Wizard hatching from a giant egg in the city art gallery, sky diving whilst chanting a spell for a major rugby match and performing various rituals round the city. Soon afterwards, accompanied by 49 assistant wizards, he came down by gondola from the [[Port Hills]] with tablets bearing the address of his new website.{{sfn|Wizard|1998|pp=160–162}}

He initially provided his services free. In 1998, the Christchurch City Council signed a contract with him to "provide acts of wizardry and other wizard-like-services – as part of promotional work for the city of Christchurch" for an annual fee of $16,000. The Wizard also received financial support from his partner, Alice Flett.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2214505.stm |title=NZ wizard seeks charms of normal life |work=[[BBC News]] |date=24 August 2002|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] |location=London |quote=But even wizards must eat. This one has long been supported by his Australian fiancée, Alice Flett. | access-date=23 October 2015}}</ref>

On 8 September 2003, the Wizard's large wooden house was destroyed by a fire, which Christchurch police treated as arson. The "Wizardmobile", constructed from the front halves of two [[VW Beetle]]s, was also attacked and damaged.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 August 2023 |title=Mystery fire ravages iconic Wizard's historic home |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mystery-fire-ravages-iconic-wizards-historic-home/PK2PPGPQWOYRER7IGX4NTBEH7U/ |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

The Wizard was awarded the [[Queen's Service Medal]] in the [[2009 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|2009 Queen's Birthday Honours]] for service to the community.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.dia.govt.nz//pubforms.nsf/NZGZT/Special-QsBday89Jun09.pdf/$file/Special-QsBday89Jun09.pdf | title=The Queen's Birthday Honours 2009 | date=17 June 2009 | issue=89 | journal=[[New Zealand Gazette]] | pages=1965–1968}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_4699902">{{cite news |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/4699902/Damaged-city-too-much-for-Wizard |title=Damaged city too much for Wizard |author=Ensor, Blair |date=24 February 2011 |work=[[The Marlborough Express]] |access-date=4 December 2011}}</ref> After it was announced by the [[Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority]] and the Anglican bishop that the remains of [[Christchurch Cathedral]] would be demolished, the Wizard returned to Christchurch to oppose the demolition.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/6553014/Wizard-in-save-cathedral-bid |work=[[The Press]] |title=Wizard in 'save cathedral' bid |date=10 March 2012|first=Charlie |last=Gates |access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref> The Wizard continues to speak on the need to preserve Christchurch's heritage buildings.

Since 2014, Ari Freeman has been the Wizard's apprentice.<ref name="cnn">{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/08/asia/new-zealand-wizard-intl-hnk-dst/index.html |title=This New Zealand man gets paid $10,000 a year to be a city's official wizard |first=Julia |last=Hollingsworth |date=8 August 2020}}</ref>

In October 2021, the Christchurch City Council ended its contract with the Wizard after two decades of service.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Zealand council ends contract with wizard after two decades of service |last =Corlett| first =Eva |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/15/new-zealand-council-ends-contract-with-wizard-after-two-decades-of-service |website=[[The Guardian]] |date =15 October 2021|access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=15 October 2021|title=Christchurch: New Zealand city parts ways with its wizard|language=en-GB|work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58924306|access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref> The Wizard said he was disappointed but will continue to appear in the city.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gates |first1=Charlie |title=Council to stop paying The Wizard $16,000 a year after 23 years on the payroll |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/126624095/council-to-stop-paying-the-wizard-16000-a-year-after-23-years-on-the-payroll#comments |access-date=9 October 2021 |work=[[The Press]] |publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=9 October 2021}}</ref>

The Wizard stood as a candidate in the [[2022 Christchurch mayoral election]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Christchurch City Council 2022 Elections Candidate Contact List|website=[[Christchurch City Council]] |url=https://www.ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/The-Council/How-the-Council-works/Elections/2022-elections/2022-Elections-Candidate-Contact-Details-16-August-2022-UPDATE.pdf|access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> receiving 2,474 votes and coming in fifth place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.electionz.com/LGE2022Results/ELT60CH22_results.pdf |title=Christchurch City Council – 2022 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result |publisher=[[Christchurch City Council]] |date=14 October 2022 |accessdate=16 October 2022 }}</ref>