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.

Driving: New safety campaign to focus on visiting drivers

Driving: New safety campaign to focus on visiting drivers

Migrants Centre
News

A major road safety campaign to help visitors understand and prepare for driving in New Zealand is now underway, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced on November 25.   “Summer is on its way and so are many international visitors. New Zealand roads can be challenging, particularly in and around some of our most popular tourist spots. The campaign focuses on the Visiting Drivers Project areas of Otago, Southland and the West Coast, and uses billboards, posters, digital advertising and social media to spread road safety messages," noted the Minister.

The messages were tested in six target markets — Australia, Germany, China, United States of America, United Kingdom and India — with people planning to visit New Zealand.

The MInister, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean and Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult also met to discuss road safety, including the $15 million road safety engineering programme for Visiting Drivers Project areas announced last month.

“The Government and its Project partners, including local councils, will continue to roll out initiatives to further reduce harm on our roads. This road safety campaign is part of a wide range of education initiatives already improving safety at every stage of a visitor’s holiday — planning, booking, in-flight, on arrival and on our roads. It’s important to remember that while the Visiting Drivers Project focuses on three regions in the South Island, many of these initiatives benefit all visitors, domestic and international," the Minister added.

The message include:

  • NZ roads can be narrow, winding and steep. Allow extra time.
  • Journeys may take longer than you think. Allow extra time.
  • Save overtaking for long, clear, straight roads.
  • Taking photos? Pull over somewhere safe.
  • Remember to keep left.
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