Jimu news reporter Song Qingying
New Zealand's official wizard, Ian Blankenbury, who was expelled at the age of 88, was the only wizard in the world to be appointed by the state and had been called upon by new Zealand's prime minister to take office. After his expulsion, people "worried" about asking him if he would curse the expulsion of parliament.
New Zealand's official wizard Ian Blankenberg, The Guardian
The wizarding legend of Ian Blankenberg lasted for 23 years. Born in England, Ian Blankenbury, 88, came to New Zealand in 1976 to perform witchcraft and entertainment in a number of public places, which were popular among the people.
In 1982, the Association of Curators of Art Museums in New Zealand called him a "living work of art". In 1990, then-New Zealand Prime Minister Mike Moore asked him to consider becoming a National Wizard of New Zealand.
In his letter, Moore boasted, "You will undoubtedly have an impact in the realm of spells, blessings, curses, and other supernatural things, even beyond the power of the Prime Minister." I want your witchcraft to be used by the whole country. ”
Moore also urged him to hurry up and take office: "I suggest you quickly consider my advice to become a wizard in New Zealand, Antarctica and related offshore areas." ”
Ian Blankenberg signed a contract with Christchurch, New Zealand, declaring that he would promote Christchurch through "acts of witchcraft and other services like wizarding", and since then he has performed in Christchurch, dancing rain dances in New Zealand and Australia during droughts to "pray for rain".
New Zealand pays him $16,000 a year for a show. In 20 years, he has been paid a total of $368,000.
The Guardian reported on October 15 that New Zealand has recently removed the official wizard Ian Blankenberg from the list of public appropriations.
Lynn McClelland, a spokesman for the Christchurch City Council, said the city council said it had sent a letter to the wizard thanking him for the services he had provided over the past few decades and informing him that he had been terminated.
McClellan added that the city is embarking on a new tourism and publicity direction, a difficult decision, but that the wizard will "forever be part of Christchurch history".
Wizards have long been known to Christchurch residents, but in recent years he has become less and less numerous, and Blankenbury says he will continue to be regularly present at Christchurch Arts Centres.
Ian Blankenberg said the city council decided to stop paying him because he didn't fit the city's "vibe." He also slammed Christchurch officials as "boring old bureaucrats".
Asked if he would curse Parliament for its decision, he said he preferred to bless it, "I wish the bureaucracy a more humane one." ”
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