Dear readers, we are happy to inform that we have finished analysing the feedback on our last year’s pilot launch of Multicultural Times (MT), New Zealand’s first nation-wide multicultural newspaper. As was the case with our Christchurch-based multicultural newspaper, The Migrant Times (TMT), MT too received innumerable accolades, appreciation and love from all of you. We are also very grateful to various communities, leaders, decision-makers and organisations from across the country who have shown immense faith in the idea of MT, and TMT before that. Based on the feedback, and after a lot of introspection, we have taken two strategic decisions to ensure that we continue to lead New Zealand’s journalism landscape towards diversity and innovation, while staying true to the basic tenets of the fourth estate. 1) The future of journalism is digital. We will continue publishing MT on our various digital media platforms and will cease publication of our print version. The reach, engagement and scope of innovation in the digital space is far superior to print. The financial viability is also superior in digital, due to the trade-off between the cost of production and results achieved. A better reach, engagement, innovation and viability, will ultimately lead to better-quality journalism for our society. 2) The future of journalism is data and artificial intelligence (AI). We are exploring how to use open data and natural language generation techniques to generate quality content and narrative stories, pertaining to local issues relevant to people’s everyday lives. We are immensely excited.

Stay tuned.

WoW: Out of the world in Nelson

WoW: Out of the world in Nelson

Migrants Centre
Economy, News

(caption for the above picture: The twin-wonder of Nelson: World of WearableArt and Classic Cars Museum)

Since 2001, visitors from around the globe have been treated to the "twin-wonders" of Nelson in the form of the World of WearableArt and Classic Cars Museum. Displaying one of Australasia's largest private collections of vintage cars, visitors are also treated to over 70 World of WearableArt garments.

"The entire exhibition is changed in April and November each year. The spectacular and highly-theatrical WOW performances, held in Wellington every spring, started right here in Nelson in 1987 with a single evening show in a country cottage. Hundreds of entries arrive at WOW® in Nelson every autumn, in time for the show selection process. Designers create their garments for categories ranging from wearable art for children, to breath-taking Avant Garde and Open Section garments; wearable art inspired by flora, fauna and the cultures of the South Pacific, to garments aiming for recognition in Creative Excellence, Costume and Film,  Man Unleashed and the Bizarre Bra™ categories," says the Museum's website. 

A previous year's award winning WearableArt garment on display in the gallery

A previous year's award winning WearableArt garment on display in the gallery

Ford Model T on display in the museum. First produced in 1908, it was the car which 'put America on wheels', as it was the first car to be built on a moving assembly line.

Ford Model T on display in the museum. First produced in 1908, it was the car which 'put America on wheels', as it was the first car to be built on a moving assembly line.

Click on the image to enlarge it and read the printed version of the story

Heritage: Relive 1900s at the Ferrymead Heritage Park

Heritage: Relive 1900s at the Ferrymead Heritage Park

Your corner: I have contributed to translating the Treaty of Waitangi into Malay language - Dr Buvanis Karuppiah

Your corner: I have contributed to translating the Treaty of Waitangi into Malay language - Dr Buvanis Karuppiah