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.

Expo: Community comes together in Amberley

Expo: Community comes together in Amberley

Migrants Centre
Economy, Ethnic communities, Community organisations, News

[caption for the above picture: String band from Vanu'atu entertaining the crowd (picture courtesy: Lee Lawrence)]

Recently, the local community of Amberley, led by the local community connector Lee Lawrence,  got together to organise a community expo. There were 60 stalls of local and wider North Canterbury groups and organisations. Over 300 people visited to pick up information, find out more and enjoy afternoon tea and entertainment by local school groups. Vineyard workers from Vanu'atu finished the event on a high with their lively string band, which was a big help to the organisers for energising the final clean up and putting big smiles on everyone's faces. The guys are now back in Vanu'atu until next season but their contribution was much appreciated.

- Lee Lawrence, Amberley Community Connector

Want Council's decision-making to be more open and transparent through engaging residents: Jimmy Chen, re-elected City Councillor

Want Council's decision-making to be more open and transparent through engaging residents: Jimmy Chen, re-elected City Councillor

Pegasus should and will do more to engage with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities: Vince Barry, CEO

Pegasus should and will do more to engage with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities: Vince Barry, CEO