A city in New Zealand has cast its official wizard from the public payroll after 23 years of service after 'joking' about hitting women.
London-born Ian Brackenbury Channell, 88, was paid NZ$16,000 (£8,200) each year to 'acts of wizardry and other wizard-like services' to promote Christchurch.
The city said it ended Channell's contract because it wanted to go in a more modern and diverse direction.
But the wizard himself claimed to local media that he was being 'cancelled' because he no longer fitted 'the vibes' of the city, describing himself as a 'provocateur'.
'They are a bunch of bureaucrats who have no imagination,'' he told news website, Stuff.
In April, Channell told a comedy current affairs show that he would 'never strike a woman because they bruise too easily' - a remark which drew considerable criticism.
![British-born Ian Brackenbury Channell, 88, was paid NZ$16,000 (£8,200) each year to 'acts of wizardry and other wizard-like services' to promote Christchurch [File photo]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/15/14/49216765-10096163-image-a-62_1634306379884.jpg)
British-born Ian Brackenbury Channell, 88, was paid NZ$16,000 (£8,200) each year to 'acts of wizardry and other wizard-like services' to promote Christchurch [File photo]
The city said it ended Channell's contract because it wanted to go in a more modern and diverse direction. But the wizard claimed he was being 'cancelled' because he no longer fitted 'the vibes' of the city. Pictured: Channell speaks to locals before a memorial at the Botanic Gardens following the twin mosque shooting in Christchurch in 2019
'I love women, I forgive them all the time, I've never struck one yet. Never strike a woman because they bruise too easily is the first thing, and they'll tell the neighbours and their friends… and then you're in big trouble,' he said.
Earlier in the show, Channell has said he enjoyed teasing women by telling them they were devious, and
