Story: Street life

The Wizard and the Bible Lady

The Wizard and the Bible Lady

A figure who has enlivened Christchurch’s streets for decades is Ian Brackenbury Channell, better known as the Wizard. Standing on a step ladder in Cathedral Square he addresses crowds on a wide range of (sometimes mysterious) issues. During the 1970s he and another Square identity – Renee Stanton (the Bible Lady) – would verbally joust about the subject at hand, to the delight of the watching crowd. This picture was taken in 1977.

Using this item

Christchurch City Libraries
Reference: PhotoCD4, IMG0024

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Ben Schrader, 'Street life - Rebuilding street life', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/20706/the-wizard-and-the-bible-lady (accessed 1 December 2023)

Story by Ben Schrader, published 11 Mar 2010