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.

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

Migrants Centre
Ethnic communities, Economy, News

The message at Pegasus Health's Annual General Meeting held last week was loud and clear. Vince Barry, Chief Executive of the charitable organisation noted, “We should and will do more to engage with CALD communities. There is a role for us to generate awareness about various health issues among the communities.”

As regards to the advocacy work Pegasus undertakes, he added, “Advocacy work is under-way at a national level with our N4 colleagues - ProCare, Midlands and Compass. We are raising awareness of the funding challenges facing General Practice and the inequity of the current Very Low Cost Access (VLCA) model. The desired outcome of this campaign is to successfully influence Government to review the current funding model and to find a solution that ensures General Practice services are affordable and sustainable. Current indications show that this drive is gaining some traction, with the Ministry of Health now reviewing options for future funding support for General Practice.”

“In other news, I am pleased to advise that HealthOne, the shared health record developed by Pegasus Health with CDHB and Orion Health, has now been rolled out in the Canterbury, South Canterbury, West Coast and Southern districts. The final South Island DHB, Nelson/Marlborough, is timed to receive it for next April. We will then have the entire South Island on both the Electronic Referral Management System (ERMS) and HealthOne.'

“Also, I am delighted to report that Homecare Medical has had a very successful first year under the direction of Pegasus Health and ProCare.”

Barry also touched upon Pegasus' move into the new building at 401 Madras Street. “When buying the new building, it also made sense to house all Pegasus Health facilities under one roof, for ease of administration and to reduce costs. The Pegasus support services teams will move into the new building in October 2016, while the 24 Hour Surgery will shift in April/May 2017, when the building’s refurbishment is complete,” he informed.

Expo: Community comes together in Amberley

Expo: Community comes together in Amberley
Ethni-cities: an effort to identify the travails of a newly-emerging multicultural New Zealand

Ethni-cities: an effort to identify the travails of a newly-emerging multicultural New Zealand