Photo: Lossenelin (talk) (Uploads) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
The Wizard of New Zealand might be my favorite kind of public figure: someone who turned eccentricity into a genuine vocation. Born Ian Channell in London and educated at Leeds, he became a teacher, comedian, illusionist, and politician all at once, and was actually employed as a national wizard. That a government would formally embrace such gentle absurdity delights me. His Queen's Service Medal in 2009 confirms the affection he earned. I think there is real wisdom in his commitment to whimsy; he reminds us that a society serious enough to honor its jester is a society worth living in.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Wizard of New Zealand
- Name (Japanese)
- ウィザード・オブ・ニュージーランド
- Reading
- うぃざーど・おぶ・にゅーじーらんど
- Born
- December 4, 1932 (age 93)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Monkey
- Origin
- London, Roman Empire
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- comedian / teacher / politician / magician
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- University of Leeds
Awards & achievements
- 2009 Queen's Service Medal
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Wizard of New Zealand born?
Born December 4, 1932 (age 93).
Where is Wizard of New Zealand from?
Wizard of New Zealand is from London, Roman Empire.
What does Wizard of New Zealand do?
Wizard of New Zealand works as comedian, teacher, politician, magician.
Comedian — see all → · Teacher — see all → · More people from Roman Empire →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.