To All The Unemployed Babysitting Boyfriends, Here's A Damn Job Opening: NewZealand Town Wizard, $10,400 yearly

[Blunderbuss Firozabad]

Shiftless, jobless, babysitting boyfriends probably already have the scraggly look down, and we would certainly approve of them finding employment....9,207 miles away from us.

In Christchurch, New Zealand:
For decades, the city has had an official wizard. Born in the United Kingdom, Ian Brackenbury Channell settled in New Zealand in the 1970s, where he became known as The Wizard. As if to reinforce how serious he is, he even held a New Zealand driver's license issued to The Wizard, although he says he hasn't officially changed his name.


Over the years, he became a fixture in the city. On the paved square in front of Christchurch's cathedral, he pontificated on his life theories, wore wizard robes and became such a well-known figure that he earned himself a TripAdvisor rating (four out of five stars). Since 1998, he's been paid 16,000 New Zealand dollars ($10,400) annually by the Christchurch City Council for "wizardry."
Now age 87, The Wizard spends less time in the public eye. He wants to find a successor

This New Zealand city has an official wizard. He even gets paid

In Christchurch, New Zealand, seeing a wizard isn't completely out of the ordinary. For decades, the city has had an official wizard.

www.cnn.com

 

[caitierig]

Oh my god I want to do it! I’d make a great wizard! I have a boyish figure and look great in hats!

 

[Flam3inKaiju]

Oh my god I want to do it! I’d make a great wizard! I have a boyish figure and look great in hats!

Sounds sexy, show me your wand

 

[Sejanus]

I already have the gear.
I wonder what the cost of living there is?

 

[Aedia]

When I scrolled past the story my brain was like, "Was that a man in a wizard hat? No, idiot. Clearly he's Amish and and you only saw part of the photo."
But yeah, no, he is actually wearing a wizard hat.

 

[Keepalowprofile]

Oh my god I want to do it! I’d make a great wizard! I have a boyish figure and look great in hats!

But would your kids be okay with calling you dad?

 

[caitierig]

But would your kids be okay with calling you dad?

If there’s wizardry involved? Absolutely.

 

[Blunderbuss Firozabad]

@Sejanus.
According to Numbeo, for 1 person, a one bdr apt outside the city center, monthly costs would be just under $2,000 (2.69% more than Toronto Canada, for example)
So $24,000 yearly, minus the salary from that sweet Wizard job would mean you'd only have to come up with $1,133 a month (minus pointy hat and cape cleaning of course)

 

[Symmachus]

This certainly sounds like a fun, productive job. It would be a very important asset to the culture of the area, and you never know how the occasional eccentric person who lives against the grain can be invaluable to public morale and memorability. I definitely wish the best for Ian and whomever his successor may be.

(Also, for those who are wondering, this is genuine sentiment and not sarcasm. I really think this is super cool.)

I wonder if Vermin Supreme may be interested.

 

[Sejanus]

@Sejanus.
According to Numbeo, for 1 person, a one bdr apt outside the city center, monthly costs would be just under $2,000 (2.69% more than Toronto Canada, for example)
So $24,000 yearly, minus the salary from that sweet Wizard job would mean you'd only have to come up with $1,133 a month (minus pointy hat and cape cleaning of course)

Hmmm maybe a hole in Hobbiton would suffice.

 

[Ramona the brave]

Hell I'll take any excuse to move to NZ. They do shit right over there.

 

[Ramona the brave]

NZ is probably the safest place to be in the event of apocalypse.
Not sure how willingly they accept immigrants though...
Wizardry sounds like a rewarding career, too.

I'm not sure if this is still a thing, but they don't actually have that big of a population, so you can get a work visa pretty easily. They are short term, but if you're willing to work in the tourism industry then they want you there.

Apparently they are actually doing SO well that they need to import uneducated people to work the lower wage jobs! What a problem to have, hahahaha

 

[Muriel Schwenck]

New Zealand is becoming a super nanny state. The Prime Minister is a Karen.
So settle in the least populated part of the South Island. If earthquakes or volcanoes freak you out, settle in the South East where it's not so shaky..

 

[Ramona the brave]

New Zealand is becoming a super nanny state. The Prime Minister is a Karen.
So settle in the least populated part of the South Island. If earthquakes or volcanoes freak you out, settle in the South East where it's not so shaky..

Hey Muriel, you know what, South Africa actually sounds like your kind of place. You should check it out.

 

[Bobbo]

Forsooth!

My resume hath been faxed!

 

[Muriel Schwenck]

Hey Muriel, you know what, South Africa actually sounds like your kind of place. You should check it out.

I think that was meant unkindly. The geology of S.A. is definitely fascinating and I've read a lot of H. Rider Haggard.

 

[Burke]

I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE

 

[caitierig]

Forsooth!

My resume hath been faxed!

I’ll see you at the interviews!