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.

Heritage: Hororata Highland Games - a Scottish extravaganza

Heritage: Hororata Highland Games - a Scottish extravaganza

Started in 2011, the event attracts over 300 competitors, and crowd in excess of 9,000. Participants from New Zealand and overseas compete in highland dancing, piping and drumming, tug of war, highland spin, small bore shooting, amateur scottish heavy athleticsand the Oceania Heavyweight Championship. Additionally, there are over 100 stalls offering food and merchandise.

Highland Dancing Competition: six Canterbury West Coast Centre Championships were hosted and the overall winner was awarded the HIghland Dancing Champion Trophy

Highland Dancing Competition: six Canterbury West Coast Centre Championships were hosted and the overall winner was awarded the HIghland Dancing Champion Trophy

Scottish Country and Irish dancing demostrations

Scottish Country and Irish dancing demostrations

Kyle Warren, Chieftain for the Hororata Highland Games 2016, a piping "rock star" and one of the most sought after piping tutors around the world

Kyle Warren, Chieftain for the Hororata Highland Games 2016, a piping "rock star" and one of the most sought after piping tutors around the world

The Mass Bands March Past and Prize Giving concluding ceremony

The Mass Bands March Past and Prize Giving concluding ceremony

There was a Clan Lane for those looking for their Scottish heritage; the Scottish Heritage Council hosted 18 Clans at the Games

There was a Clan Lane for those looking for their Scottish heritage; the Scottish Heritage Council hosted 18 Clans at the Games

Showcasing the medieval times by the Society of Creative Anachronism; medieval objects, weapons, armour, tableware, clothing and furniture was on display; (below) combat demonstrations

Showcasing the medieval times by the Society of Creative Anachronism; medieval objects, weapons, armour, tableware, clothing and furniture was on display; (below) combat demonstrations

Children had a field day

Children had a field day

Various traditional and modern Scottish games were demonstrated too; (anticlockwise from above) Scottish backhold wrestling, Gough CAT Amateur Heavy Championship, bike polo, Tug O' War, and Gough CAT Oceania Heavyweight Championship. Other events in…

Various traditional and modern Scottish games were demonstrated too; (anticlockwise from above) Scottish backhold wrestling, Gough CAT Amateur Heavy Championship, bike polo, Tug O' War, and Gough CAT Oceania Heavyweight Championship. Other events included The Kilted Mile race and Hororata Pie Eating competition.


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Festivals: Timaru, Ashburton and corporate celebrations

Festivals: Timaru, Ashburton and corporate celebrations

NZ Police rocks Chch Diwali: The Garden City lights up on the occasion

NZ Police rocks Chch Diwali: The Garden City lights up on the occasion