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.

Diversity: Christchurch Council adopts the Christchurch Multicultural Strategy

Diversity: Christchurch Council adopts the Christchurch Multicultural Strategy

Migrants Centre
Ethnic communities, News

The Christchurch Multicultural Strategy 2017-2021 “Our Future Together” was adopted by the Christchurch City Council on February 9. Council Community Support Team Manager Claire Phillips noted, "It's a great opportunity to embrace and acknowledge the diversity factor in Christchurch and it shows that as a city we recognise the economic, social and cultural benefits that being a diverse city brings us."

Now, "the Councl will, in consultation with the community, work to develop a five-year implementation plan for the strategy and produce an annual diversity and inclusion report to measure and report on progress achieving its aims."

Chair of the Council’s Multicultural Working Party Councillor Jimmy Chen said, "Christchurch’s population of 370,000 is made up of people from various backgrounds and ethnicities. This document is a commitment by the Council to provide a framework and a set of goals and actions to ensure every single person in Christchurch feels a sense of belonging. It also gives every person in Christchurch an equal opportunity to access Council services and information and to participate in the decision-making process.''

Two Indians stabbed during Domino's Bishopdale aggravated robbery

Two Indians stabbed during Domino's Bishopdale aggravated robbery
Labour: Chch's Bahn Thai Restaurant to pay 25k for three categories of breaches of minimum code requirements

Labour: Chch's Bahn Thai Restaurant to pay 25k for three categories of breaches of minimum code requirements